Jackson Vending Devon & Exeter Premier

Okehampton Argyle 5

Willand Rovers 0

THIS result was not quite as easy as the scoreline may suggest, in fact a much improved Willand dominated most of the opening half hour.

It was fortunate for Argyle that defenders Vernon, Johnston and the impressive James Williams were in fine form and managed to stifle all Willand could throw at them

The midfield battle gradually turned in Argyle?s favour, but not before a flurry of bookings helped to calm things.

Steve Williams for Okehampton and Ian Edgecombe, Darren Pearse and Brett Andrews for Willand all received the yellow card for mis-timed tackles, rather than vicious ones.

Ten minutes before half time, Paul Yip broke down the right and squared the ball back for Adam Mortimer to side-foot a shot in off the underside of the crossbar to put Argyle one up.

There was no indication of the excitement to come when Argyle started the second half playing down the slope.

But after a couple of minutes a good run from Mortimer saw him pass the ball inside to Lloyd Chapman, who forced it past James Budden in the Willand goal.

Two minutes later the spectators went wild with delight when Mortimer produced a double whammy. First he latched on to a through-ball from Yip, before leashing in a pile-driver to the top corner of the net.

From the next attack Steve Williams jinked past two defenders, before passing to Neil Agnew and on to Mortimer, who side-footed the ball past a helpless keeper to complete his hat-trick.

Willand were finding it hard to stop Mortimer in goal-hungry mood. He almost scored again when the keeper dithered, but this time a defender made a goal line clearance.

On the hour another great pass from Yip sent Williams away again down the right flank, before he unselfishly set Mortimer up to tap in his fourth goal of the afternoon and Argyle?s fifth.

Other chances were created by both sides in the closing stages, but the result was never in doubt. This was fine all round performance from Argyle and will hopefully put them in good stead for the busy April fixtures ahead, starting away to Exeter Civil Service on Saturday kick-off 3pm.