Southern two

Okehampton 4

Duchy 1

THIS hockey match was vital to Okehampton men's first team's season with a win which sees them leap- frogging their opponents in the league table and secure a place in Southern one for next season.

The hosts got off to a flying start and set the pace for the rest of the game. After five minutes the Oke duo of young Ross Davidson and experienced Andrew Paterson in the midfield were controlling the game. They fed the wingers of Josh Speak and Jack Watson with pin point, pacey passes.

Ten minutes and several attacks from the home side passed; after great build up play from the hosts, switching the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, it found its way to striker Sam Whalley, who darted for the by line, slipped the ball between the goalkeeper and the near post for a sliding in Day to score from two yards.

Right from the restart Oke piled on the pressure Joff Stephens seemed to be everywhere, stopping the ball, even reaching the defence with many interceptions.

When the ball did occasionally make its way to the home side defence, Oke coped well and did not look threatened at all.

It was from a splendid tackle from Will Cooper the second goal was scored. Cooper made the tackle, the ball fell to Luke Liversidge who hit the ball up the line to Speak on the half way line; Speak beat the man marking him, then another defender, and a third, made his way into the D and sniped the ball between the keeper and near post.

With 15 minutes of the half left the away side played a slower game and worked their way down the pitch but James Rogers was making some critical tackles at right back.

After a flourish of attacks Duchy won a couple of short corners but this was no trouble for the returning Andy Harvey in goal who stopped everything put at him and saw the first half out.

After half time the home side pressed again and put Duchy under pressure.

A comeback was from the away side was wiped away after just five minutes from the restart when Speak for Oke made a threatening run down the left wing, put the ball across the goal and Day was there to tap in for his second.

As the teams started to get tired the game opened up a bit and more space was created. This was perfect for Okehampton's young Jack Watson who used his pace to beat the tired defenders and produce some good balls into the D.

An introduction of Rob Hall into the Holding midfield stopped any Duchy attack.

Okehampton secured the win when Whalley picked the ball up at the top of the D and smashed the ball in to find Day sat on the post who casually flicked the ball in.

Day thus completed his first hat-trick for Okehampton first team.

Oke then saw the game out with great control — an excellent display from the home side.