South West Peninsula League division one East
Okehampton Argyle 0
Bovey Tracey 5
ARGYLE were outclassed by a Bovey side who are strong challengers for the championship this season. Bovey closed Okehampton down on the half-way line and got forward in numbers to pressurise the Argyle defence throughout.
Bovey started off the stronger and took the lead after only six minutes when Mark Dyson's cross was only half cleared by the Okes' defence and the loose ball fell to Scott Kaasikmae who made no mistake.
On 21 minutes, the visitors increased their lead when the impressive Simon Revell fired in a right wing cross which was rifled home by Dan Taylor. Four minutes later, Taylor turned provider as his cross was finished off by Mark Sneap from close range.
To their credit, Okehampton kept battling and matched the visitors in midfield for long periods. Colin Marshall fired a fierce direct free kick just over the bar, and just before half-time, Steve Williams used his pace to break clear of the Bovey defence only to see his shot pass just wide of the visitors' post.
The second half began with Argyle working hard to try to get back into the match and they deserved a bit more of the run of the ball. But Bovey were definitely the better team and it was they who increased their lead on 61 minutes, when man of the match Simon Revell fired home a tremendous 20 yard free kick with the Okehampton defence confused by a strange offside call from player-manager Stuart Cann. The rout was completed 13 minutes from time when Lee Pascoe turned home Simon Revell's cross.
This was a disappointing performance by Argyle, but it has to be said that Bovey were in tremendous form, showing considerable pace and passing ability throughout the game.
Once again, Okehampton were forced to reshuffle the side because of injuries and unavailability. Plus points were a strong mid-field performance by Matt Mortimer, the influence exerted by George Pitts after he came on as substitute and the return of defender Tim Williams after a year's absence.
It was also good to see defender Mark Burdus come through the last 10 minutes as substitute unscathed after missing the past three months due to injury.
l This Saturday in the South West Peninsula League Okehampton Argyle play Exeter Civil Service A, kick-off 3pm; in the Devon and Exeter Senior five the Seconds play at home to Exmouth Amateurs, 3pm while in the Devon and Exeter intermediate three the thirds are at home to Beacon Knights, kick-off 3pm.
l THE winners of the Okehampton Argyle FC 200 club for March 1 was Mrs G Carter who won £40 with ticket number 67; second was mona wooldridge who won £10 with ticket number 183.