Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one West

Dobwalls 2

Okehampton Argyle 0

THIS was an entertaining encounter at Lantoom Park between two young sides intent on attacking at every possibility.

However, with their leading scorer Frankie Nomah-Koneh unavailable for the remainder of the season, Argyle showed that they are going to find it difficult to fill his position.

Both sides played good hard football in midfield and moved the ball about well across the middle of the park, but Okehampton played too many high final balls rather than keeping the ball on the ground, which is where they are better able to trouble other sides.

The game began evenly with both sides finding it difficult to create openings, but on 35 minutes, Argyle fell behind. Dobwall's Jack Alexander burst into the Argyle area, and the danger seemed to have been averted as keeper Harry Geering went down at his feet. Unfortunately defender Stuart Entwhistle, racing back, knocked the ball out of Geering's hands and Alexander fired home the lose ball from 10 yards. Five minutes later, Dobwall's Andy Frost let fly a left-footed drive from fully 30 yards which swerved unpredictably and flew into the bottom right-hand corner of the Argyle net, leaving Geering with no chance.

Argyle kept toiling away and Ben Waters worked tirelessly up front supported by good work by Ed Squire but the Dobwalls defence held firm.

In the second half, Argyle brought on Sam Brooks for Corey Burns and pushed Alex Wren further forward. However, despite the hard work of the midfield, they were not able to make any real scoring opportunities against a strong Dobwalls' defence, and Okehampton's own defence looked stretched with only three men against a pacy home forward line.

Midway through the half, a mix-up at the back allowed Alexander to race through once again. Geering trying to dive at his feet brought him down and the referee blew for a penalty even though the ball rolled free from the Oke keeper's dive and into the back of the net. Geering received a yellow card but Sean Jones blasted the subsequent spot kick high over the bar.

Okehampton fought back after this and some strong runs from Alex Wren down the left threatened the home defence.

Argyle's best move of the match saw a great interchange between Wren and Luke Alden, with Wren's final shot passing just wide of the goal.

In the final minutes, Ben Waters played the ball across the face of the home goal and substitute Brad Ausden went close, but Argyle were unable to beat Dobwalls' keeper Ben Hardie, back from Devon County duty, who had a fine game.

This was a disappointing performance from Argyle after the high of the previous week and they certainly need to find an able replacement for the centre-forward position.

The best performance came from Alex Wren, with some crunching tackles and powerful runs, and Ben Ferguson and Ed Squire worked hard in midfield.

n This Saturday in the league Argyle are away to Camelford, kick-off 2.15pm; in Devon and Exeter division four Argyle seconds are at home to Colaton Raleigh, kick-off 2.15pm.