THE game started positively with the drizzle easing and an Okehampton push back. A dynamic start saw Oke put early pressure on the Exe defence. 

Kim Davey made the Exe defence nervous, testing the keeper early with some blistering strikes at goal. Oke, were dominant in possession — captain Sophie Whiteley bossing the midfield and combining well with the speedy duo of Lucy Wiseman and Molly Marvin. There were opportunities aplenty for Okehampton, but the Exe goal keeper was solid in her shot blocking. 

It was from open play that Okehampton made it 1-0.  The ball was played to Emily Rowlands, who drove determinedly towards the Exe goal;  she vexed the central defenders with a well timed pass to Lucy Wiseman, who still had a lot to do but showing great composure she drove into the D and neatly passed the ball into the bottom corner of the goal. 

Okehampton remained on top for the rest of the first half. A solid performance in central defence from Laura Parsons and Helen Dalton meant that Exe had no chance to trouble the visitors’ goal.

Okehampton’s goalkeeper Ella Kaye, not long into the second half, despite having previously had little to do, she made a powerful clearance from a rare breech of the Oke back line. 

The visitors continued to dominate possession; Hannah Whiteley, having a fine game at left wing-back, regained possession with solid tackling but quickly turned defence into attack with some dazzling runs into the Exe 25.  Both Rochelle Woollacot and Zoe Curtis got into some good positions upfront, working tirelessly and being unfortunate to be kept off the scoresheet by the Exe goalkeeper. 

Okehampton created many chances, utilising their attacking minded wing-backs in Whiteley and Elly Jenkins. Finally after a well worked team move, Kim Davey showed great composure to put Okehampton 2-0 ahead. 

Okehampton’s midfield and forwards, continued to work together some superb moves in a performance to be proud of. 

Okehampton ladies’ firsts play Okehampton ladies’ seconds in the league on February 2.