Okehampton ladies seconds 2
Chard ladies secs 2
OKEHAMPTON ladies second hockey team hosted a fixture against Chard Ladies on Sunday. The teams had never met before so neither side knew what to expect.
Initially the Chard attack was quick on the break forcing Oke's defence to cover swiftly cutting out potential goal scoring chances.
The Okehampton keeper Shannon Osman made a superb save to keep her team from conceding a goal. Okehampton's vice-captain Katy Graves soon organised her defence and with the combination of Brieze Reed, Sophie Whiteley and Tara Davidson linking well across midfield, Chard soon found it hard to penetrate the home defence.
Okehampton then found their confidence with attackers Amanda Sim and Annette Goswell having several shots on the Chard goal. Despite Oke having the majority of possession it was Chard who scored thet first when they took advantage of a break and caught the Oke defence on the back foot.
Oke responded immediately, piling on the pressure and were soon rewarded with a penalty corner which forward Grace Thorp converted in style.
The second half was a closely fought battle with Chard again finding the back of the Oke net after a goal mouth scuffle. Oke came straight back with woman of the match Tara Davidson scoring from a well placed penalty corner strike.
Chard were constantly looking to attack but this produced one of Oke's best performances of the season with solid team work and supreme effort under the guidance of captain Sophie Whiteley.
With minutes left to play Chard were awarded a penalty stroke when the ball unfortunately hit the foot of an Oke defender on the goal line.
Young Oke keeper Shannon Osman coolly stepped up to the mark to save the Chard flick and give her team a well deserved draw.