Devon & Exeter Premier

Okehampton Argyle 3

Thorverton 0

ALTHOUGH this looks a convincing win for Argyle, the truth is that but for some good defending, a number of excellent saves from Sean Sandercock, plus the odd slice of luck, the score could easily have been reversed.

With defender James Williams unavailable, there was a welcome return of Kevin Gill, back from his stay in New Zealand, and a couple of run outs for the reserves.

Early play favoured Argyle with Robbie Sandercock, Adam Mortimer and Stuart Cann all going close with good efforts.

At the other end, Andrews and Harris tested Sandercock with dangerous long shots which skidded off the wet surface.

The referee allowed the game to flow by not penalising several old fashioned crunching tackles by both sides.

On the half-hour, Mortimer again worked his way past two defenders and into the penalty area. His low shot was palmed out by Vooght, but straight to Robbie Clarke, who gratefully slammed it into the net.

Argyle missed a chance to double their score just before half-time, when a cross from the right was dropped by Vooght ? somehow Robbie Sandercock pulled his shot wide from just three yards.

Thorverton put Argyle under pressure at the start of the second half, even getting the ball in the net after two minutes, but this was ruled out for offside.

Another hectic ten minute spell for Thorverton saw first Mike Vernon head a goalbound shot off the line then Sean Sandercock pull off a great one-handed save.

On the hour and against the run of play Kevin Gill took off down the left flank, beating two defenders before sending a perfect cross for Mortimer to head past the Thorverton keeper.

This setback did not stop Thorverton coming forward, and they were unlucky when a goalbound shot was kicked off the line by Robbie Sandercock.

Five minutes from time with the visitors still pushing forward, Mortimer latched onto a long clearance and raced through to beat the keeper from close range to put Argyle three up.

This victory takes Argyle out of the bottom three league positions for the first time in months. To make things more interesting, there are only six points separating them from the eight teams ahead, so it all depends on the run in over the next three months, for a high finish.

This week Argyle are away to Cullompton, kick-off 2.30pm. Meet all-weather car park 12.45pm.