Southern one

Old Plymouth Mannameadians 2

Okehampton 1

OKEHAMPTON faced a strong side in OPM, looking to bounce back from a difficult draw the previous week. Looking for a win to cement themselves at the top of the league, Okehampton went into this fixture with high intensity. 

The opening ten minutes saw both sides flirt with possession, rarely testing each others’ defence.

A tightly packed OPM midfield enforced Oke forwards Sam Whalley, Jack Watson and Josh Speak to drop deep to receive the ball. This tireless work paid off with Okehampton stringing together a number of chances, building confidence and gaining momentum.

Brett Lawson, coming back from injury, used his pace well to make explosive leads up front. His efforts were rewarded as he won a number of short corners, which were expertly drag-flicked at goal by Whalley, only to be thwarted by some superb keeping. 

OPM came right back at Okehampton at the end of the first half, but the tenacious tackling of centre back pairing James Rogers and Ross Davidson put a stop to any attempts coming their way. However OPM won a short corner and a well worked routine resulted in a goal, putting Okehampton down 1-0 at half time. 

The squad were not to be disheartened and their hard work and drive paid off in the early stages of the second half as Oke were awarded a penalty flick for a dangerous tackle on Watson. Up stepped Whalley to dispatch it confidently into the depths of the top corner making it 1-1.

A number of chances followed, created by innovative passing from midfield maestro Joff Stephens and bombing runs from Jaden Read but Okehampton could not quite put the game to bed with that crucial elusive goal. 

Man of the match Nick Luxton used vintage skill to hold possession in the middle of the park and spread the ball to Oke wide players Simon Bourne and Jacob Jones.

Despite this relentless pressure, it was OPM who made the vital break through, winning a short corner in the dying minutes which ended with a shot trickling over the Oke goal line.

The final whistle blew leaving the score 2-1 to OPM.