Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one East

Alphington 2

Okehampton Argyle 1

ARGYLE put in a tremendous battling performance at the Chronicles against Alphington and were desperately unlucky to come away with nothing from this game other than a great deal of pride.

Okehampton were once again missing a number of key players but the inclusion of Toby Gostling after a mid-week transfer from Tavistock and South Zeal’s Redd Cann gave the team a real lift and they played some of their best football this season.

The first hour of play was goalless although both sides created a couple of chances each and both would have thought they could snatch victory. Argyle felt the home keeper James Stevens should have been dismissed in the first five minutes after he was penalized for handling the ball outside his area. However, the keeper went on to foil many of Okehampton’s best efforts in the first half, notably a stinging 30 yard drive from Redd Cann.

Argyle were playing some hard working football in midfield and Gostling was having a great game in the unaccustomed position of sweeper and also usual midfielder Ed Squire was playing well as a wing back.

Just after the start of the second half, Tallan Burns played in Adam Mortimer, who had a great one on one chance but it was just foiled by the home keeper.

Just after the hour mark the opening goal duly arrived and it was supplied by a tremendous free kick from Toby Gostling after the home keeper was adjudged to have tripped veteran striker Roger Bonaparte on the edge of the box. Argyle’s man of the match fired directly into the top left corner for a superb set piece goal.

Shortly after, Gostling was involved again, this time at the other end of the pitch as in getting back to clear an attack, he sliced a Pat O’Loughlin cross past his own keeper, Harry Geering, and onto his own crossbar before the Oke defence managed to clear the ball. Argyle looked like they would be able to hold out for their first win of the season, but unluckily the last ten minutes saw their fortunes reversed.

With eight minutes on the clock, Gostling’s clearance was deflected straight to an Alphington forward after coming back off the referee. In frustration, Gostling made an ill advised remark to the official and received a straight red card.

The man advantage for the home side meant they threw men forward and with six minutes left they drew level when a frantic goalmouth scramble ended with Peter Darke stabbing home from close range to level the scores.

Three minutes from time centre forward Adam Mortimer, back helping out in defence, came into contact with Alphington’s Aaron Land into the area. Ryan Moody made no mistake as he scored to give the home side a welcome 2-1 win.

Okehampton worked their socks off and felt decisions conspired against them late on, but even a neutral would have to say that a draw would have been a fair result.

However when you are at the bottom of the table, as Okehampton are, life is rarely fair.