Southern one

Okehampton HC men’s firsts 6

East Devon 0

ON a wet Saturday Okehampton hosted East Devon.

Oke started the game brightly with excellent passing play from Nick Luxton and Luke Liversidge creating early chances.

The first goal came from this excellent passing play and a darting run from man of the match Jack Watson, who received the ball in the box and then slipped it to Sam Whalley to expertly fire it into the goal. 

Solid defensive play from Rod Gers and Rob Hall enabled Oke to create their second goal; Liversage passed the ball up to Sam Whalley; he slipped the ball to an on rushing Nick Luxton who nipped the ball past the keeper.

The third goal came when Whalley fired an aerial over the East Devon defence to Luxton in space who smashed the ball past the keeper and into the goal.

Oke  continued to keep the pressure on the visitors as wing backs Simon and Caleb Bourne were able to press higher up the pitch with Liversidge using them as outlets; this allowed Luxton to drive forward into the circle and cross the ball to Whalley, who was well placed to fire his shot into the bottom of the goal.

As the half drew to a close, Oke’s keeper Jacob Jones was put to the test by an East Devon short corner; the young keeper was up to the task clearing the ball strongly.

As the second half began, Oke looked to seal out the game and take the three points, but East Devon had other ideas. The game ebbed and flowed until a excellent run from Josh Speak down the left flank and a pinpoint cross gave Watson the chance to take the ball around the keeper and send it flying into the goal. 

Further resistance from the visitors was eventually broken down by Oke. Pressure came from James Stevens down the right side; he passed to Miller who dribbled past several East Devon defenders; his pass, once again, found Watson waiting in the circle; he squeezed the ball through and into the goal.

This was an important win for Oke as they consolidate their position near the top of the league.