Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Division One East

Budleigh Salterton 0

Okehampton Argyle 3

ARGYLE put in yet another tremendous all round team performance to come away from last year's league runners-up with all three points and stay at the top of division one East.

This was not an easy match and the home side made Argyle work hard throughout but Okehampton made the more clear-cut chances and thoroughly deserved the win.

Both sides battled for ascendancy during the first half hour and there was little between the teams at this stage.

On 32 minutes, Argyle broke the deadlock as Steve Madge played a lovely ball forward to Will Hawking; the centre forward outpaced two home defenders before calmly slotting the ball past Budleigh keeper Pullen to give the visitors the lead. There was no further scoring before the interval and the game remained balanced on a knife edge.

Budleigh made a determined effort to get back into the game after the break but did not really trouble Harry Geering in the Argyle goal. The closest they came was ten minutes in when a Sam Bird volley from a corner went over the crossbar.

Argyle began to reassert themselves and five minutes later Luke Alden beat two men on the left of the box and his cross was beautifully volleyed home by Steve Kinsey.

Argyle were definitely now the stronger side and made the most of the remaining chances. Their progress was hampered with 20 minutes left when Matt Mortimer was sent off for dangerous play. The ten men carried on in a determined fashion and in fact extended their lead with 11 minutes to go when after some good work down the left, the ball fell to Ed Squire on the edge of the box. He calmly beat a defender before firing the ball past Pullen with his left foot from 18 yards to seal the victory.

This was another great team performance from Argyle and a deserved victory.

Ben Williams had a tremendous match at left full back and Alex Wren was strong in midfield but all 14 members of the squad had outstanding games.

This Saturday in the league Argyle are at home to Exeter University, kick-off 3pm. In Devon and Exeter four Argyle Reserves are away to Exmouth Amateurs Res, kick-off 3pm.

n THE winners for Argyle 200 club for September 17 were 1, T Kingman, ticket number 11, prize £25; 2, M Harding, no 1, £10.

For September 24, 1, P Squire, 46, £25; 2, J Drew, 190, £10.