Southern one

Okehampton 1

Bodmin 1

THE home side were looking to take the full three points. Unfortunately with some key players away plus injuries, Oke could only field an 11 man team against a 13 man opposition.

The game started off well for the home side with some disciplined hockey — the front men of Whalley, Watson and skipper Speak made it difficult for the Bodmin defence to keep their goal line clean, especially with Whalley winning a number of penalty corners. However, some of these were put just wide of the post or the keeper kept them from going goal-bound.  Bodmin did have their chances against the reformed back three of Hall, Rogers, Davidson and keeper Morgan, with the latter controlling his goal well and pulling off some fantastic saves. 

Ten minutes before half time, Oke won another penalty corner, this time Whalley at the top picking out cool headed Luxton, who sweetly sweated the ball into the bottom corner of the goal, well out of reach of the Bodmin keeper for 1-0. 

After the half time break both teams kept the fight going, both looking for the three points. Bodmin who had one hell of a chance to get a goal back early when their forward put the ball through the legs of centre back Hall to be faced with a one-on-one with Morgan; fortunately for Oke the Bodmin striker managed to put the ball straight over the top of the bar.

After this close encounter Oke still continued to play some great hockey. Read and man of the match Lawson continued to press the opposition’s goal. The well disciplined Oke side started to break down, with the first of the cards coming out - Stephens picking up a green card. Bodmin made the most of the man advantage with an attack down the right side found the striker, who controlled it and shot on the turn o equalise.

This frustrated the home side; they were not helped when Whalley, took a ball to the arm. More cards came out, this time yellows to Read and Davidson.  The final whistle came as both teams shared a point. 

Oke finish the first half of the season second place in the league, keen to be back on top in the New Year.