South West Peninsula division one East

Axminster Town 5

Okehampton Argyle 2

THIS was an all action match played in cold driving rain on a greasy surface that made it difficult for players to keep their feet.

Argyle were missing key players Adam Mortimer and Mark Burdus due to injury, but they outplayed their hosts in the first ten minutes with some delightful football and certainly matched them until half-time.

However, Okehampton's performance sadly fell away in the second half to give Axminster a comfortable win.

Argyle could have taken the lead in the first couple of minutes as a beautiful passing movement saw the Axminster keeper forced to make two superb saves in quick succession from Matt Mortimer and George Pitts.

After six minutes, another beautifully worked crossfield passing movement resulted in George Pitts finding Chris Wills wide on the right and his deep cross saw Steve Kinsey dive full length to head home a fabulous goal.

Six minutes later and against the run of play, Axminster were level when Alex Wheatley worked free of his marker and shot home from the edge of the box, a shot that appeared to be covered by Argyle keeper Dan Malcolm until he slipped on the difficult surface.

Okehampton still looked the more inventive side but Axminster were dangerous on the break and a quick attack after 30 minutes saw them awarded a hotly disputed penalty.

Dan Malcolm got down well to stop the spot kick, but Axminster's Richie Emmet followed up to hook the ball out of the keeper's hands and into the net.

Okehampton got their just reward just before half-time when Steve Williams was brought down on the edge of the box and Steve Kinsey gave the home goalkeeper no chance with the resulting spot kick.

The second half was a different affair and belonged to Axminster with their winger Richard Spiller causing havoc down Argyle's right flank and constantly turning the defence inside out. Okehampton's passing, which had been so good in the first half, went to pieces and the ball was constantly given away often when defenders had committed themselves forward.

Alex Wheatley gave Axminster the lead with a well taken goal from a fast counter attack about halfway through the half. Richard Spiller added a fourth and then another of his fine crosses was turned past Dan Malcolm by an Okehampton defender two minutes from time to complete the scoring.

l Next Saturday Argyle play away in the Devon Premier Cup, Kingsteignton Athletic, ko 2pm.

l The winners of the Okehampton Argyle lottery for October 11 was Dave Paisey, who won £40 with ticket number 87, second was Benita King, who won £10. October 18 winner was B Stribley, £40, number 40, second Trevor Drew, £10, no 192. Winners for October 25 was Marion King, £40, no, 34, second Lesley Butler, £10, no 179.