Southern one

Okehampton 5

East Devon 1

HAVING beaten Truro away last week, Okehampton were on a high but could only field the bare 11 against strong opposition in East Devon.

The home side started pressing East Devon hard and within five minutes had a short corner but were unable to convert. East Devon reacted quickly, and with a good counter attack only an outstanding save from Andy Hookway prevented them from taking an early lead. This woke Oke up and from that they pushed forward; Nick Luxton controlling the midfield forced a second short corner and from it Rob Hall calmly flicked it into the goal.

Oke began to dominate the game and with excellent runs from wingers Andy Paterson and man of the match Jack Watson they came close to going 2-0 up, but they could not quite find that finishing touch so they went into half time with a slender lead.

The home side responded well after half time; quick passing play from Ross Davidson and Joff Stephens earned them another short corner which they were unable to convert. Looking strong at the back with James Rogers and Rob Hall neutralising any dangers to the Oke goal and then with East Devon losing a player to a yellow card the momentum began to swing in the home side’s favour.

Oke capitalised on their superiority with excellent passing play and Watson getting the ball to Nick Luxton, who calmly slotted it into the back of the net. As Oke’s confidence grew they came back again, this time with Davidson providing the key pass to Luxton to put the ball into the back of the East Devon net. Moments later both Jaden Read and Brett Lawson come close to adding to Oke’s lead but East Devon were not beaten, and with continued pressure on the Oke goal they managed to put one past Hookway on the rebound. Not to be out done Oke pressed hard and though another short corner routine Rogers was able to deflect the ball in off a shot from Luxton.

Following some exceptional approach play in midfield, Oke won a short corner just on the stroke of full time. Luxton calmly slotted the final goal home to complete his hat-trick and keep Oke at top of the league table.