Petroc two

OKEHAMPTON LADIES’ THIRDS 3

ASHMOOR SECONDS 0

IT was not a promising start for the home team as Ashmoor were much quicker off the mark from the whistle and pressed Okehampton back into their own circle in the opening moments.

However, defenders Sandy Houston, Lois Rowlands and Sarah Bazelely closed down the Ashmoor attack and did not give them time to create anything threatening. When Oke finally cleared the ball out of the danger zone and pressed up the pitch, the game turned on its head and they were comfortably the better side.

Sophie Tripp and Alex Collins were effective up front and moved well off the ball, getting away from their defenders to make themselves free. The opening goal came when left wing Eleanor Marvin and centre half Anna Crome linked up well with quick passing, easily outpacing their defenders; the ball was moved crisply to Alex Collins who sent it across the face of goal for Sophie Tripp who was well-positioned to bundle it over the line.

Oke were now playing good hockey and a strong run from Anna Crome through the middle of the pitch led to the second goal. Her well-hit shot was going wide but Alex Collins adjusted her feet smartly and opened the face of her stick to deflect the ball in past the stranded goalkeeper.

There was a slight wobble for Oke at the beginning of the second half when the visitors had clearly had a team talk and immediately came out on the attack. Carol Newman made an important save and was quick out to the Ashmoor attackers to snuff out any attempt on goal.

Izzy Rowlands had an excellent game at centre back dominating the middle of the pitch and picking up loose balls to distribute out to her wings and forwards. Player of the match, Maddie Davison, on the right wing also put in an outstanding performance, battling tirelessly to retrieve the ball and turn defence into attack. It was determined play down the right that led to the third goal when the ball eventually fell to Anna Crome whose strike deflected off the goalkeeper and hit the underside of the bar before crossing the line. After that, there was no coming back for Ashmoor and the home side deservedly took the three points.