Carlsberg South West Peninsula division one east

Budleigh Salterton 7

Okehampton Argyle 0

THIS was a poor result for Argyle as they fielded a strong line-up for the first time in recent weeks and were boosted by the inclusion of Luke Alden, who normally plays Western League football.

However, they were foiled by the unavailability of goalkeeper Harry Geering, suffering from an ankle injury, and outfield player Ed Bradshaw had to play in goal. Despite a promising start and some good attacking moves, back-line lapses took their toll and the fast moving Budleigh wingers had too much pace for the Argyle full backs throughout the match.

When you are bottom of the league, luck seems to go against you and Budleigh opened the scoring on 12 minutes despite claims from the visitors of a handball by a Budleigh player; Jack Howarth was put through on the left to squeeze the ball home from an acute angle.

Five minutes later, Argyle only managed to clear the ball weakly to a home player and George Pannell centred from the left byline to the far post where Jack Greenslade netted with a low strike into the left corner. Two quickfire goals settled the contest just before the break, Greenslade bagged his second when put in on the right after a Budleigh player had been gifted the ball in midfield by a poor Argyle pass across their own defence. Howarth netted a brace thanks to a threaded pass through the middle by Aaron Denny that he took around stand-in keeper Ed Bradshaw before slotting in.

Just 16 seconds into the second period Denny scored himself, outpacing the Argyle defence down the right before knocking it wide to Pannell, who played a return pass for the midfielder to score with a deflected shot.

Oke made changes including the tall figure of Callum Ausden. However, a consolidation appeared on the cards when Tallan Burns was felled in the box, but alas Matt Mortimer’s spot-kick was saved well to Jake Tillet’s.

Minutes later, a good run by Tallan Burns down the right provided a chance of a tap in goal for Luke Alden, but Budleigh somehow cleared the ball off the line.

On 56 minutes, Luke England struck a speculative effort from 40 yards out on the right touchline that Ed Bradshaw lost in the floodlights, and to Argyle’s dismay the ball dropped over his head and into the net. This was a lucky goal, but the same player rounded off the scoring with intent when finishing off a Greenslade assist with a first-time strike.

Finishing was the main difference here and the ability to defend against a fast and fit team.

Budleigh cleverly allowed Okehampton to come at them, absorbed their pressure and then hit them hard on the fast break throughout the game to produce a tremendous final scoreline.

Apart from the penalty, Oke had one cleared off the line and another chance saved — three potential Argyle goals, but no answer to the speed and finishing ability of a very good Budleigh side.