Southern One

Okehampton 2

ECV Hornets 2

WITH Okehampton beginning the day four points clear at the top of the table and facing a ECV Hornets side in second place, the game was a chance to extend their lead.

From the off, Okehampton showed their class, passing the ball around the pitch, expertly orchestrated by the midfield trio of Andrew Paterson, Joff Stephens, and Luke Miller.

At the head of this trio, Miller was key in linking midfield play with frontman Sam Whalley and before long the chances began to pile up. Excellent wing play from skipper Josh Speak and fellow wide man Jack Watson aided the attacks as Okehampton pounded on the door of the away side’s goal.

The instrumental Whalley began to demonstrate his attacking prowess, dropping deep and drifting wide to create chances and make space for teammates. Before long a dangerous ball across Hornet’s goal was turned smartly in by a ruthless Paterson.

After taking a well-earned lead Okehampton continued to dominate possession with Nick Luxton spraying the ball around the pitch with ease, aided by the marauding left and right backs of Simon Bourne and Jaden Read. When Hornets did attack the colossal 6’3” centre back James Rogers, was present to expertly thwart their efforts with the assistance of his centre back partner, and man of the match, Ross Davidson.

Despite such dominance all over the pitch, Okehampton went into the break with just the one goal advantage.

After the break a regrouped Hornets side began to come at Okehampton with sustained pressure and, despite the excellent work of Okehampton keeper Andrew Hookway, the away side found the break they were looking for to claw it back to 1-1. Shortly after, an unfortunately conceded short corner led to yet another Hornets strike and goal, putting Okehampton 2-1 down.

Following this setback, the Okehampton troops rallied following some wise words from captain Speak. Okehampton made more use of their wide players and yet more excellent work from Miller and Whalley saw the home side earn a penalty flick and an excellent chance to get back into the game. A nerveless Whalley stepped up and emphatically struck the ball into the top side-netting.

The game became more even following the equaliser and while Okehampton had the better chances, Hornets did have their moments, although Rogers and Davidson were always on hand to step in to cut out an attack.

The game was finally brought to a close by the umpires seeing Okehampton’s unbeaten start continue as they now remain three points clear at the top of the table.

Next week Okehampton travel to face an OPM side sitting sixth in the table, with a chance to build on this hard fought result.

Pictures by James Bird