Devon & Exeter
Intermediate 4
Bampton 3
Okehampton Argyle Thirds 3
ARGYLE put in a determined performance, after a long drive north, on a strangely undulating pitch.
The teams were evenly matched for the majority of the first half. Bampton had the upper hand by keeping the ball in the lower centre of the pitch.
Monnox made a welcome return to the left back position. He ran hard, building many attacks after gaining possession. On one of these, a frustrated Bampton midfielder scythed him down.
Evans took the free kick from just past the halfway line, passing to Stepto who side-footed the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area.
Argyle almost scored again when Morgan gained possession and passed the ball to Evans on the right, who went one-on-one with the keeper. He slid the ball to Scott Ditchburn, who missed his footing, allowing the goalkeeper to retrieve the ball.
A further Argyle opportunity came when Kinsey chipped the keeper. The crowd were ready to cheer, but the ball stuck in the mud, allowing a defender to clear on the line.
Okehampton came out for the second half and passed the ball out to the wings. Spence sprinted down the left wing to set up Steve Kinsey, who shot from an acute angle. The ball hit the keeper and he scored from the rebound. Scott Ditchburn scored from a similar move on the right. Argyle were now 3-1 up.
Bampton made two substitutions and put Argyle under pressure, scoring again.
Jon Carter made a number of brave saves. Morgan and Eddy cleared the lines, starting a number of counter-attacking moves.
Bampton responded with more pressure. The Argyle defence did all they could to prevent a goal but eventually Bampton scored untidily.
There were a few nervous moments in the final minutes when Carter saved Argyle from defeat by pushing a well-struck free kick around the post.
Man of the match: Shane Monnox.
Next match, this Saturday, 2.30pm. Simmons Park, against Dawlish Town.