Oke Columbines 3

Truro Ladies 4

Okehampton were delighted to be playing their first match on the newly opened astro-turf - entertaining top of the league Truro.

Okehampton's Amanda Sims and Rachel Hammett did a fine job of subbing in a variety of positions in this fast and hard fought game. With a larger squad Truro also kept up a flow of players moving on and off the pitch. They also had a clear shape that they wished to retain demonstrating a detailed and disciplined approach.

This was put sorely to the test as Okehampton started fast and sure, swifter to the ball and firmer in their passes, it was not long before Jo Moppett scored the first goal as the strong Okehampton forwards, including Kim Davey, Alex Collins, Viv Weatherington and Sarah Jones, ran rings around Truro's defence.

Truro were unsettled by this and using good forward passing broke into Okehampton's circle where a minor error led to a short corner. Okehampton's defence anticipated a fierce attack but few could have withstood the well placed cannon ball shot that crashed into the back of Okehampton's net.

Okehampton now began to see the strength of Truro's play. They were quick on the interception and seized most diagonal passes. Their fast and confident passing broke through the Okehampton defence twice more to lead to a score of 1-3 at half time.

There was some excellent play by Okehampton. Kim Davey made an excellent breakthrough from the half way line right to the circle but was unable to finish.

After the break this fast paced match became even more intense. Jo Moppett seized one loose pass that caught Truro on the backfoot but to no avail but finally a full effort by the forwards paid off for the same player as Jo Moppett cracked the ball around the goalie for Okehampton's second goal.

Truro mounted some fiercesome attacks and goalie Sophie Whiteley yet again showed her expertise, courage and calmness on several occasions defending the Okehampton goal.

Okehampton's Jane Jones picked up a ball, passed to Viv Weatherington and on to Jo Moppett who dribbled around the defence to score the equaliser leaving the home ladies jubilant.

Within minutes however Truro came back, again their well placed forwards wrong-footed the defence so that a tiny touch from the wing on the post was all that was needed to sneak the ball past the line for the away side's winner.

l Okehampton are away this Saturday for a league game against Caradon at Liskeard.

Oke ladies seconds 7

Plymouth University ladies thirds 0

THE young and enthusiastic Oke team went into the match with a very positive and determined attitude.

From the push back Oke piled on the pressure — they were rewarded with a goal when centre forward Eve Colton skillfully dribbled the ball towards the University circle, passed a perfectly placed ball to Grace Thorp who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

Moments later Thorp had another shot on goal - this was stopped by the away keeper but Annette Goswell was quick to snatch the ball and pop it around the keeper for Oke's second goal.

Okehampton's third goal was a real team effort with a free hit from defender Amanda Sim finding Natalie Dennis in space.  Dennis put a direct cross into the Uni circle which Thorp controlled and shot at goal.  Goswell was waiting for the rebound from the goalie's pads to score her second goal.

Just before half time Oke were awarded a penalty corner.  The Oke attack cleverly worked the ball around the circle creating space for captain Sophie Whiteley to score.

The Oke girls began the second half in a similar fashion with Brieze Reed soon increasing their lead with a beautifully struck shot from a penalty corner.  Grace Thorp scored her second goal from a clean strike which thundered into the back of the Uni goal.

The final goal came when Eve Colton and Brieze Reed worked together passing the ball around the University defenders before passing the ball to Goswell who hammered the ball into the net to score her hat-trick.

Joint players of the match: Eve Colton and Annette Goswell.