Devon and Exeter division four

Okehampton Argyle Reserves 3

Axmouth United 5

OKEHAMPTON's second string put up a brave performance against an Axmouth side challenging for promotion and who have only been beaten twice this season. The home team were unlucky not to get a point.

Argyle were caught slow out of the blocks, allowing Axmouth to take the lead in the first minute as the defence failed to cover a quick attack. Within 20 minutes, the sharp Axmouth forwards had opened up the home defence again to double their lead.

However, Argyle were not overawed by their visitors and struck back when Tom Williams' speed took him through the Axmouth defence to cut the arrears with a well taken goal.

Argyle began to dominate midfield play and strung together some lovely moves but their finishing did not match their approach work and they were caught out when a fine ball down the right released the Axmouth winger and his cross was neatly tucked away with the Okes' defence guilty of poor marking.

As half-time approached, Argyle showed they were going to make a game of it when John Coakley's persistence saw him beat the visiting keeper from close range.

The second half saw Argyle dominate midfield play and Axmouth had to thank their keeper for a series of fine saves to preserve their lead. Midway through the half, Argyle received their reward when Matt Mortimer fired home a fierce shot from ten yards to level the scores. Argyle continued to press and only the keeper denied them, but 15 minutes from time,

Axmouth took the lead when a right wing cross pinged off a defender and fell straight to the head of a visiting forward leaving Argyle keeper Harry Geering with no chance of saving the header.

Five minutes later, a fierce shot from outside the area gave Axmouth a two goal cushion although Geering was unlucky as he got his hand to it but could not push it over the bar.

Argyle threw caution to the wind and pushed centre half Matt Mortimer up front, playing a three man defence in an attempt to save the game, but despite winning a series of free kicks on the edge of the box, they were unable to reduce the arrears.

Argyle man of the match was Matt Sanders who dictated play in midfield with a string of defence splitting passes.