Plymouth Uni ladies 6
Okehampton ladies 2
PLYMOUTH University soon put Okehampton under pressure, however most players were soon overheating despite the cool crisp air.
Plymouth were powerful across the field with excellent accurate passing, speedy well-controlled dribbling and sprints which picked up fast long balls deep in Okehampton's defence. These tactics soon paid off. They sliced through Okehampton's defence with a well supported attack so that Okehampton's backs were outnumbered and scrabbling to get back and catch the slick attack, who scored within five minutes.
This was followed up soon after with a well taken short-corner that took the score to 2-0. Jo Moppett did some excellent runs and passed the ball to the wings Kim Davey and Eve Colton who fought through with some success to the circle but Plymouth did not really look in danger.
Plymouth scored again and despite some excellent saves by goalie Sophie Whiteley the game stood at 4-0 to Plymouth at half time.
Captain Alex Collins moved to left wing and Amanda Sims to left half for the next quarter and Okehampton began to pile the pressure on Plymouth with a much more open game.
Jo Moppett tried several solo runs which gave serious concern to Plymouth but the strength of their defence foiled the maestro until Jo got the ball to Lesley Gibson who struck and then caught the rebound to score.
Plymouth soon came back with another goal despite the determined defence by Rachel Hammett playing at right back.
Jane Jones played her heart out as a masterly centre half, supporting the attack, often free in the circle for short corners, intercepting many a Plymouth attack and sprinting back to bolster the defence.
Another speeding attack by Plymouth left both backs chasing and Sophie Whiteley facing two players but with consummate timing and the confidence of an expert goalie came way out and took the ball before it could be passed or struck and thus defusing the attack. The ball was taken up the right wing and Jo Moppett's virtuosity paid off with Okehampton's second goal as Kim Davey got it to her from the corner to the top of the D.
l Okehampton Columbines's next league game is on January 9 home against Dartmouth at 2.30pm.
Friendly
Oke ladies' seconds 3
Tavistock ladies' seconds 0
THE visitors only had 10 players and elected to play without a goalkeeper but strong tackling and tight marking from the Tavistock defence made it difficult for the Oke girls to get a shot on goal.
Tavistock looked dangerous on the attack with some penetrating runs from their forwards forcing Oke defenders Netty Collett and Jo Drake to make some decisive tackles and clearances.
The Oke girls soon found their rhythm passing the ball around the pitch and supporting each other. Their constructive team play led to some piercing attacking moves which resulted in right wing Grace Thorp shooting at goal — the shot was stopped by a Tavistock defender but Oke's Amanda Sim picked up the rebound to slot the ball into the net. Oke's second goal came just before half time when Eve Colton picked up the ball in a goal-mouth scuffle and made no mistake to score.
After the break the teams were evenly matched forcing the Oke midfield players Sophie Whiteley and player of the match Brieze Read to up their work-rate closing down the Tavistock attack.
Left half Katie Graves had to use her speed to mark and shadow the nifty Tavistock right wing who attacked strongly when given the chance. Oke were rewarded with a final goal after a period of attacking pressure — Jo Drake was perfectly placed to pick up a pass in the Tavy circle and claim her moment of glory.