Devon and Exeter League division eight

Okehampton Argyle

thirds 4

Otterton 1

ARGYLE thirds were the only Okehampton team to play on Saturday as the first team were without a fixture and the Reserves away fixture at Thorverton was postponed on Saturday morning.

Argyle had the better of the first half but were unable to convert their midfield dominance into goals. They eventually took the lead on 20 minutes when new signing Darren Gilbert fired home a fierce left footed volley from the edge of the box which Otterton keeper Adam Williams was unable to hold. Otterton put in a feisty display and would have levelled by halftime, but Argyle keeper Neil Clift did superbly to push the shot just wide of the post. Argyle came back and put together some fine moves with Darren Gilbert and John Filbey causing problems for the visitors' defence and Rickie Wooldridge and Tyler Anderson combining well in midfield, but at half-time the game was still in the balance as only the one goal separated the teams.

Argyle started the second half in a dominant mood and soon increased their lead when Darren Gilbert was released by Kieron Ruck on the left and the centre forward crossed for Rickie Wooldridge to score with a superb diving header.

Okehampton had to bring on experienced substitutes Matt Sanders and Ed Squire for the injured Tyler Anderson and Dave Smith, who had had an outstanding game at the centre of the Argyle defence. This involved some rearrangement of the back four but it was not long before Matt Sanders drove home Argyle's third goal from the edge of the box.

Otterton, however, showed great fighting spirit and within minutes had cut the lead with a tremendous goal following a lovely move down the right. Back came Argyle and with ten minutes remaining, they scored their fourth and final goal of the game when John Filbey was released by Ed Squire to fire home past a stranded Otterton keeper with the visitors appealing for offside.

This was an excellent game played on a difficult surface and the players of both teams deserve credit for playing the match in a sporting and entertaining manner, as does referee D Dobson for keeping the game flowing and well under control.

Argyle's man of the match was Darren Gilbert, but central defender Alex Donnelly also had an outstanding game and player manager Paul Yip also performed well in the unaccustomed position of full back.