Petroc two

Sidmouth and Ottery ladies’ thirds 1

Okehampton ladies’ thirds 1

ON a chilly wintery day Okehampton began the second half of their season at their home astro turf against Sidmouth and Ottery thirds.

Despite Okehampton winning the toss, it was Ottery and Sidmouth who applied pressure onto the Oke defence initially. The visitors were quick, but Okehampton were able to hold them at bay through good battling and tackling from Lois Rowlands, Sophie Mugliston and Lisa May. The ball was played around and moved across; up and down; on and off the pitch as both teams tried to make some chances.

Emelia Bazeley for Oke put some important tackles in and Sarah Marvin and Jane Jones, with much energy, worked tirelessly to block and turn around attacks from the opposition.

Ottery and Sidmouth had a number of short corners that goalkeeper Alice Wiseman took control of, clearing the ball effortlessly and effectively. Further up the field on the attack Okehampton tried hard to penetrate the Ottery and Sidmouth defence. Sarah Bazeley, Viv Weatherington and Sophie Tripp tried to create space by running off the ball as well as trying to respond to long balls from midfield in order to give Okehampton some kind of advantage.

After a well behaved first half in the second Okehampton were able to put together some passes and create chances, with many balls flying across and around the goal mouth. These attacks often began from deep within the Okehampton half and Izzy Rowlands, who was able to keep herself in plenty of space on the wing was readily available to receive the ball from any turned over attacks. Sandy Houston, who earlier in the game had sent a ball sky high over the cross bar — received the ball in space, turned and fearlessly charged towards the opposition’s goal. With just the keeper to beat a goal looked imminent; however, the keeper dragged Sandy to the floor and the team was rewarded with a penalty flick. Oke player of the match, Joey Drake send the keeper the wrong way and skilfully flicked it accurately into the back of the net.

Sidmouth and Ottery continued to apply pressure trying to find the equaliser. As they broke down their right hand side, Oke’s defence were drawn leaving an opposition player unmarked. An accurate ball went through the defence and found this player who was able to slot it into the Okehampton’s goal.

The game, which was played in a friendly and enjoyable manner, ended as a draw.