PETROC ONE

Dart Ladies’ 6

Okehampton ladies’ seconds 0

THE scoreline did not reflect the balance of play for Okehampton Ladies’ Seconds at second in the league Dart, who are fighting for promotion. Tenth place Okehampton knew that this would be a hard-fought match.

The game started in mist and there was some sympathy for the umpires. Dart were fast and hard on attack and too often took the advantage off Okehampton through posting up and cutting off passes.

Zoe Curtis’s speedy runs up the wing with the ball took Okehampton deep into Dart’s defences but goals remained elusive. Dart’s strike power was impressive though, including a shot from the back line which curved around the goalpost, and by half time Dart were leading 4-0.

A team talk at half time led to more structured play in the second half from Okehampton. The ball went all over the pitch, up and down, side to side and neither team had the advantage. Jane Jones was masterly at centre half and made several excellent strikes into the circle but Oke did not quite manage to convert their opportunities into goals.

Then the ball would roar down the other end and Ella Kaye in goal made various splendid saves, including acrobatics in mid-air to keep Dart out. She was ably supported by Emilia Bazeley and Rachel Adams who stopped many a dangerous attack.

Several defensive short corners were prevented from leading to goals by Bazeley’s fast running out and then the ball would be down the other end of the pitch again with Ellie Shayler feeding the forwards and putting Dart on the back foot. Then again the ball would speed down towards the Okehampton end and the defence were put on their mettle but Okehampton held firm.

It was beginning to look like the second half would be goalless when the pace of the play and the constant sprints up and down the pitch finally took their toll on Okehampton. In the last few minutes Dart seized opportunities and cracked two goals in quick succession.