South West Peninsula division one East

Okehampton Argyle 2

Ottery St Mary 1

ARGYLE made hard work of overcoming bottom side Ottery at Simmons Park. They have played far better this season and lost, but in the end were pleased to lift all three points.

Okehampton had the better of the first half but were unable to make any clear-cut chances. The five-man midfield of Ed Squire, Matt Mortimer, George Pitts, Ben Harris and Stuart Entwhistle all worked hard and dominated play in this area, but too often Argyle's final pass went astray.

Meanwhile, Ottery seldom troubled Harry Geering in the Okes' goal, so as the half-time break was reached, the score remained at 0-0.

Argyle began the second half with more purpose, although they still relied too heavily on the long through ball, and it was a pity to see their fine short passing game of the previous week had been forgotten. However, on 56 minutes, after good work by Steve Williams in the Ottery box, the ball broke loose to Steve Kinsey, who fired home from 15 yards for a well-taken goal.

Argyle then sat back after this goal and were punished after 70 minutes when Ottery equalised. A bit of slackness at the back saw an Argyle clearance fall to Ottery's Polish player Sam Czeres, who fired home a superb 25 yard volley for the best goal of the match.

To their credit Okehampton forged forward again to try to restore their lead and 11 minutes later, a right wing cross was beautifully flicked on by Argyle's man of the match Matt Mortimer for Steve Williams to steer home from five yards.

Within a minute, the game was nearly made secure as substitute Chris Wills rose superbly to head on a free kick, only to see his effort rebound off the post. The game was marred a minute from time when the same player was sent off for a comment made to an Ottery player despite having been awarded a free kick following a nasty foul.

Okehampton were the better side on the day and the final result was a fair one, but the home spectators had hoped for a more convincing performance against a side who have totalled only six points so far this season.

• Next Saturday Argyle are at home in the South West Peninsula League against Axminster Town, kick-off 3pm. In the Devon and Exeter intermediate three the thirds are away to Bradninch, ko 3pm.

l The Okehampton Argyle 200 club lottery results are: March 7, week 35, 1, Vic Jordan, ticket number £40; 2, Mike Vernon, 134, £10. March 14, week 36, 1, Ben Woodhouse, 29, £40; 2, Mrs E Wright, 65, £10.