Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

Budleigh Salterton 4

Okehampton Argyle 0

OKEHAMPTON lost in disappointing style to an unbeaten Budleigh side who now move to second in the table. Argyle were missing first team regulars Ed Squire, Chris Wills and Matt Mortimer but included new goalkeeper signing Craig Mulholland. He put in a strong performance and made some fine saves but could do nothing about the final scoreline.

In the first half, Argyle played some good passing football and constantly threatened Budleigh on both flanks but lacked the final touch. However, it was the home side that took the lead on six minutes when a high ball in from the left went over the greatly rearranged Argyle defence lacking the height and power of Matt Mortimer and was headed home at the far post by Pete Grover.

Argyle fought back and felt they should have had a penalty when Luke Alden dribbled into the area and appeared to be brought down on the goal-line but the referee ignored the claims. In the resulting dispute, a Budleigh player was booked for stamping on Alden.

Argyle were a bit slow out of the blocks after the interval but clawed their way back into the game and started to look the more likely to score.

With 25 minutes remaining, the whole complexion of the game was changed. Alden carried the ball into the area and appeared to be brought down from behind. The referee waived play on and in the resulting melee, Alden was red carded for kicking out at a player.

With the visitors reduced to ten men, Budleigh took control of the game with Danny Williams scoring on 67 minutes, George Pannell heading home eight minutes later and then to flatter the home side, Adam Turner fired home at the far post with only two minutes left.

Okehampton deserved something out of this game having played the better football before being reduced to ten men. The team battled bravely after Alden's dismissal but found it difficult to make any threatening plays without their best player of the last two seasons.