Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one east

Okehampton Argyle 4

Axminster Town 2

ARGYLE were playing their first game after an absence of two weeks and it showed in a poor opening 40 minutes against bottom of the table Axminster Town.

Jason Cordice was sent racing clear in the second minute but he shot wildly over the bar. Axminster looked the sharper side at the start and could have twice taken the lead inside the first five minutes.

The visitors took the lead in the tenth minute when, following a poor throw-in back to Aaron Dearing, Ben Vine blocked the Argyle keeper's attempted clearance and Alex Wheatley was on hand to tap the loose ball into an unguarded net.

Dearing redeemed himself with a fine save five minutes later but was caught out on the half hour when he misjudged Sam Dibling's flighted cross, which sailed over his head and into the far corner to increase Axminster's lead.

Argyle gave themselves a lifeline in the 40th minute when Oli Crimmins set up Ross Voaden and the young striker cut inside to drive a low shot into the bottom corner. Rather undeservedly they found themselves level at the break when on the stroke of half-time Oli Crimmins was again the provider as his far post cross was headed in at the far post by Ross Voaden for his second goal of the afternoon.

Argyle came out a different side in the second half and within five minutes they were in front when Ross Voaden was on hand to steer home Luke Alden's driven cross to complete his hat-trick.

Almost immediately, Axminster went down the other end and when Alex Wheatley's run was brought to an end by the outstretched leg of Corey Burns the referee pointed to the spot.

Ben Vine smashed his penalty high to Aaron Dearing's right but the young keeper pulled off an excellent save as he tipped the ball onto the crossbar and away to safety.

Argyle continued to press with Luke Alden and substitute Tallan Burns causing problems down both flanks and Axminster had Brett Garner to thank for a series of smart saves from Ross Voaden, Jason Cordice and Ed Squire.

Argyle's fourth goal came in the 70th minute when again Luke Alden got to the goal line and cut the ball back to Ed Squire, who sidestepped his marker and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

Other chances for Argyle came and went with Luke Alden, Ross Voaden and Jason Cordice all going close and in the closing stages Aaron Dearing pulled off another fine save from a Gary McAuley free kick as the home side held on for the win.