Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

Royal Marines 4

Okehampton Argyle 0

ARGYLE put in a hard-working and determined performance at Endurance Park, on Saturday, against and in-form Marines side who are challenging strongly for the title.

The visitors started well and new signing Kel Fofala showed some neat touches combining well with Steve Williams and Frankie Nomah-Koneh to cause some consternation for the Marines defence.

The game was even throughout the first half, but Argyle were unlucky after 18 minutes when the home side were awarded a penalty after Mark Burdus collided with a home forward in the box. Shane Saunders stepped up to blast home the spot kick; Argyle keeper Harry Geering got his hand to the ball and almost managed to turn it round the post. Defences were in charge for the remainder of the first half and at half-time, Okehampton were still in with a shout.

Five minutes after the interval, the Marines doubled their lead when Sam Dibling rose to head home Saunders' corner from the right giving Geering no chance and Argyle now found themselves with a mountain to climb.

They kept pushing forward and made some attacking substitutions replacing defender Dan Johnston with midfielder Ricky Wooldridge and bringing on Jonjo Fellows and Stuart Entwhistle to give some fresh legs in midfield. Nomah-Koneh saw a shot just whistle over the Marines' bar but it was the home side who were now making the most chances.

On 70 minutes, the Marines broke through on the left and Hope pulled the ball back for Stuart Morgan to crash the ball home from the edge of the box, the goal of the match.

Ten minutes from time, the Marines again burst through into the Argyle box on the left and Matt Mortimer brought Morgan down as he desperately tried to make a saving tackle. Saunders made no mistake with the spot kick to give the home side a convincing victory.

Argyle showed some spirit in this match but the result was never in doubt after the second goal had gone in. Matt Mortimer was the outstanding player for Argyle — commanding in the centre of defence.