Throgmorton Cup

Okehampton Argyle 1

Newton Abbot Spurs 5

WITH top playmaker Luke Alden beginning a three match suspension and tough tackling midfielder Alex Wren absent second placed Newton Abbot Spurs were always going to prove difficult opponents.

To compound matters, defenders Matt Mortimer and James Williams were unavailable and right back Corey Burns has departed for university.

In the event, the visitors breezed through to the second round after veteran striker Tom Sercombe rolled back the years to bang in four of his sides goals.

The home side always looked confident going forward until they got to the last third where they seemingly ran out of steam against a resilient visiting back four.

The opening effort came on 26 minutes when a cross from Tim Porter was well controlled by Sercombe to slot the ball past the helpless home keeper Craig Mulholland. The lead was doubled nine minutes later, when Matt Micklewright sent the impressive youngster Mattias Morgan up the line and his perfect cross was stabbed home by Sercombe.

Argyle pulled a goal back two minutes into the second spell as Brad Austen, always their most likely threat, slotted on to a superb through ball from Ed Squire and rounded Ross Bellotti to give his side hope with virtually a full half to go.

Spurs should have extended their lead on 59 minutes when Morgan's pinpoint cross was met by Micklewright from 15 yards. His powerful close range effort was superbly saved by Mullholland in the home goal, diving full length to palm the ball around the upright.

It was only a temporary reprieve though as Cann's misdirected free kick fell to Spurs' Tim Porter who floated a cross to Adam Dyson who headed accurately home from an unmarked position on 67 minutes.

While the visitors deserved their victory the margin was slightly stretched unfairly with a late brace from Sercombe. Four minutes from time, Adam Dyson's through ball saw Sercombe break clear but Mulholland spread himself to make a great block but as the ball ran loose the Spurs man completed his hat trick with a precision lob from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later and a chip from Adam Dyson came back off the bar and that man Sercombe was there to walk the ball over the line and complete his sides nap hand and their safe passage through.

Referee Richard Greenwood showed his good experience and common sense in dealing with one spat and some petty niggles throughout.

New signing James Sowden had a good debut in midfield and Mulholland was in resolute form between the posts. Squire worked tirelessly in midfield and Ausden always looked dangerous up front.

This Saturday in the South West Peninsula League Argyle are at home to Axminster Town, kick-off 3pm.

n In the Devon and Exeter League the Reserves are away to Exmouth Town Reserves, ko 3pm.