South West Peninsula League Div 1 West

Okehampton Argyle 1

Penryn Athletic 5

THIS was a tough baptism for Argyle in the Western Division although they came up against a very good Penryn side, who many expect to be challenging for promotion to the Premier division this year.

Penryn were very fast out of the blocks and pinned the Okes back, taking a sixth minute lead when Dale Band headed home from close range. At this stage, Argyle's defence were struggling to match the pace and constant interchanging of the Penryn forwards, seeming to lack a system, and five minutes later, Hugh Howlett was given far too much room on the right and allowed to run through and fire home from 10 yards unchallenged.

On 24 minutes, two Argyle defenders hesitated looking for an offside flag, but correctly this did not come, and Penryn's Dan Richardson was allowed to run through and fire home a third. Things could have been worse as the visitors hit the post just after the half-hour, but to Argyle's credit they fought their way back into the game. On 42 minutes new forward Ben Waters won a free kick 25 yards out and Ben Ferguson stepped up to fire home a superb goal around the Penryn defensive wall.

Argyle came out for the second half in a determined mood and took the game to Penryn, who defended solidly. Ben Waters fed a ball across the face of the visitors' goal and Frankie Nomah-Koneh was inches short of connecting. If this had gone in, it would have changed the whole complexion of the match, but it was not to be. Okehampton's managers gambled in the last half-hour by taking off defender Dan Johnston and refreshing the midfield as Jonjo Fellows, Dale Chadwick and forward Rob Clarke came on, but in the end Argyle paid the penalty for reverting to a three man defence as Penryn scored late goals through Sean Johnston (85 minutes) and Hugh Howlett (89 minutes).

Despite the score, Argyle played some good football in patches — they just need to cut out the simple mistakes and stop giving the ball away cheaply, perhaps working on their organisation at the back.

There is certainly plenty of skill in the side and good performances were again forthcoming from Ben Waters and Luke Alden in midfield. The defence worked hard and every individual in the back four did their best to stem the Penryn tide. Up front, Frankie Nomah-Koneh showed flashes of skill all afternoon, but the Penryn back four were in superb form and not giving anything away.

Next Saturday, the firsts are on the road at Newquay kick off 3pm. This will be a tough fixture against another of the fancied teams in Division 1 West.

At Simmons Park, the Reserves entertain South Zeal United in the first round of the East Devon Bill Slee Cup kick off 2.30pm.