Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

University of Exeter 2

Okehampton Argyle 3

AT the University's Topsham Road Sports Ground on Saturday, Argyle put in another tremendous hard working performance to come away with all three points.

On a wet and sticky pitch which sapped the energy, Argyle ran and competed all afternoon against a talented and super-fit team of students who were laying one place above them before this match.

The students set off at a tremendous pace and pushed Argyle back but the visitors build from the back and played some dangerous passing moves on the break.

On 18 minutes Argyle won a corner on the left. Toby Gostling quickly played it short to Luke Alden who whipped in a cross which was decisively headed home by Ed Bradshaw to give Okehampton the lead. Only four minutes later it was all square when the University broke on the right and Magnus Assmundson fired home a tremendous shot from the edge of the box.

Back came Argyle and on 25 minutes, John Wiseman showed tremendous skill to carry the ball past his marker on the right touchline before playing it to Ed Bradshaw, who laid it off for Wiseman to run onto and curl a superb left footed shot past a defender and the University keeper to restore Argyle's lead.

The students immediately came back and felt hard done by when a move which split the visitors' defence was pulled back for a free kick on the edge of the box for an earlier defensive foul.

There was nothing between the two teams and both teams as the teams went in at half-time.

Early in the second half Okehampton defended solidly but once again always looked dangerous as they broke forward. In the 57th minute Argyle extended their lead when the students failed to cut out Luke Alden's in-swinging corner and Ed Bradshaw was left with a free header from close in.

The pace began to take its toll and both sides had to replace players due to muscle and ligament injuries. John Wiseman, outstanding on the right flank, came off to be replaced by Brad Ausden and the hard working Rob Clarke was replaced by new signing Matthew Platten who slotted in well at left back with Alex Wren moving into midfield. Toby Gostling, who again looked impressive in midfield, was replaced by Jake Batizovszky.

It was University side who scored next when a cross from a corner broke loose in front of the Argyle goal after 65 minutes and Mattias Marriott was left with a simple tap in.

With 25 minutes left, the game was now up for grabs and the students put the Argyle defence under the cosh. The back four performed heroics and Okehampton just left Bradshaw up front as they upped their work rate to break up the University's attacks.

Craig Mulholland looked solid in goal and Dale Chadwick made some great tackles and solid headed clearances.

Okehampton did have chances to extend their lead as Ausden burst past a defender and unleashed a shot which was just wide and Alden robbed the keeper outside his area but was unable to force the ball home. When the final whistle was eventually blown, it was a great relief for the few Okehampton faithful, but there was no doubt that Argyle had deserved this win because of their tremendous hard work as a squad.

n On Saturday Argyle are away to Galmpton United, in the league, kick-off 3pm while in Devon and Exeter division four Argyle Reserves are home to Exmouth Town Reserves, kick-off 3pm.