Okehampton ladies 4

THE much younger Exeter ladies were fast, determined and skilful from the off and the pace never slackened until the final whistle.

Exeter set the pattern of the game by their attack, weaving across the whole width and length of the pitch.  The Okehampton defence had to follow and so the usual shape was abandoned.

The visitors' defence through close marking and fast running kept the attack under control.  However the pressure created a short corner which led to a well taken goal by Exeter.

Viv Weatherington for Oke on the left wing made best use of passes out from Kim Bland and Brieze Read.  The visitors took the play into Exeter's half, won a short corner and Jo Moppett scored to equalise. Okehampton successfully defended several short corners with Joey Drake and Brieze Read running out to block or channel the shots.  Shannon Osman, in her debut game for the firsts, won player of the match for her intelligent and brave goal keeping which saved her team several times.  However, a ball was deflected past her off a defenders foot and the University team went into a 2-1 lead. 

Okehampton passed well but the speed of the University side led to many interceptions. However Oke dug in and a cross found Jo Moppett who, with support by Lesley Bingham, finished off so the teams went in level at the interval.

Oke persevered in close marking and Joey Drake, Jane Jones, Alex Collins and Louise Weller held their ground and distributed well.  Several times there were skirmishes on the goal line and desperate work to keep the ball out.  But the University side scored again from a short corner in a lovely set move to make it 3-2.  A long pass from right back took Exeter on the hop and Jo Moppett sped past the defence and placed the ball beautifully to equalise.

Exeter scored again from a short corner and both sides had frantic flurries on their respective goal lines.  One led to penalty flick against Okehampton but Shannon Osman kept it out. 

Oke then won a short corner and which Joey Drake passed out to Jane Jones who fed it straight back for Joey Drake to score. Okehampton crawled off the pitch for a well deserved draw.