Columbines 2
Mannamead Ladies 2
TOP of the league Mannamead firsts are a young and skilled side. Their fast running and swift accurate passing put Okehampton under considerable pressure for the opening ten minutes.
A cross from Mannamead's right was straight to an unmarked player in the circle to give Okehampton's goalie no chance and put Mannamead in the lead. The game then evened up with both teams putting the defence under severe pressure, with Oke using straight balls for attack. Okehampton equalised when Lesley Gibson made a diagonal pass to Jo Moppett who slipped it to Viv Weatherington to tap it past the goalie.
Mannamead continued to drive forward at a furious pace and forced several short corners. Home defenders Jane Jones and Carol Taylor successfully channelled shots for goalie Sophie Whiteley to clear. It was another piercing run on their right with a hard and accurate cross to the lurking left attacker that gave Mannamead their second goal. Mannamead matched pace with accuracy and control which only required a split second's gap to seize the advantage. The visitors' Cheryl Waterfield was a strength in mid-field both blocking attacks and feeding the Mannamead attack. Despite this, sterling work by Oke's attacking formation led to several near misses.
Okehampton, 2-1 down at half time, reminded themselves of their defensive diamond and this paid dividends in the second half .
Oke's Jo Moppett and Jo Drake started the half with short, accurate passes that took them to the edge of the circle in a zig-zag formation but unfortunately was foiled.
The ball was lifted effectively several times by Mannamead. Both teams were impressed when Sophie Whiteley got her left hand to a fearsome shoulder height strike as one of several great saves.
Mannamead's energy began to flag and Jo Moppett's ability to stretch to the ball and dance around opponents troubled the defence. This gave other Oke attackers considerable space but the fury of the pack around Jo Moppett made it hard for her to find them. One of the short corners created by the errors forced by the frantic defensive effort gave Okehampton their second goal. Jo Moppett took the well placed ball from Viv Weatherington, slipped it to her left and made a reverse stick strike for the equaliser. Neither side gave up until the final whistle but both teams could acknowledge that the draw was a fair reflection of a well –played game that had required great effort from all players.
Plymouth University secs 1
Oke ladies seconds 1
OKEHAMPTON played with determination against the young and skilful top of the table University team, with Millie Westwood and Katy Graves working well together on the left to cut out the home attack. The fast University forwards looked dangerous on the break forcing young Katie Adams to make some decisive tackles. Despite Oke's strong defensive play the slick Unversity ladies passing found a gap for them to score the first goal.
Oke fought back with left wing and their player of the match Amanda Sim moving around the pitch to pick up some well placed passes from her defenders but it was centre forward Eve Colton who dodged the University defence and outwitted the goalie to claim the equalising goal.
Both teams were hungry for victory in the second half and Oke were awarded several penalty corners which they were unlucky not to convert into goals. Nat Dennis played a crucial role in Oke's midfield distributing the ball well around the pitch.
The University team piled on the pressure during the last 15 minutes but tight marking from Wilemijn Rademaker and outstanding goalkeeping from Oke keeper Jo Moppett kept them at bay.
In the final few minutes of the game the home side were awarded a penalty corner. They moved the ball quickly around the circle splitting the Oke defence and wrong footing the goalie but the University's shot was cleared off the line by captain Sophie Whiteley who was perfectly positioned to save her team from defeat.