Okehampton ladies’ thirds 1

Old Plymouth Mannameadians ladies 4

OKEHAMPTON ladies’ third team went out seeking league points against a strong OPM team placed fourth in the league. At the start, the teams seemed equally matched and strong attacking play from Oke midfielders Sophie Tripp and Nicky Strawbridge meant they connected repeatedly with forwards Viv Weatherington and Sandy Houston, who were unlucky not to open the scoring early on.

Despite having the majority of the possession, strong defending from the OPM players meant that Okehampton were unable to find the back of the net and the OPM team gradually settled and started to fight back.

Several speedy breaks from their attackers left the Oke defenders Lois Rowlands, Melissa Pinfield and Joey Drake with plenty of work to do and several shots were deflected by excellent goal-keeping from Carol Newman. As the first half drew to a close, OPM used the width of the pitch and the speed of their wings to open up a 2-0 lead.

Not down-hearted, Oke came back strongly in the second half skilfully playing the ball out to Zoe Curtis and Sarah Bazeley on the wings. This combined with excellent midfield play from Jane Jones kept the OPM team feeling the pressure.

Despite three occasions when OPM were a player down and several attempts on goal from Oke’s Louise Watts, OPM extended their lead to 4-0.

Second half goal-keeper Daisy Morgan found herself facing repeated attacks and made several crucial saves. In the final ten minutes, with another superb run down the pitch Oke player of the match, Zoe Curtis, placed perfectly right on the post, slotted the ball into the net and earned Oke a well-deserved goal.

Truro ladies’ seconds 0

Oke ladies’ thirds 3

OKEHAMPTON ladies travelled to Truro the previous Saturday to play the team who were one place above them in the league. Initially Oke lacked confidence but they gradually settled and began passing the ball around the pitch, creating spaces to attack Truro’s goal. Zoe Curtis surged forward on the left wing and connected well with attacker Sandy Houston to pressure the opposition’s goal.

The first of Oke’s goals came from a team passing move around the circle splitting the defence and leaving Louise Watts free in front of goal to slot the ball past the keeper.

Sarah Marvin used her speed and skill in midfield to secure Oke possession and fed the ball to her attackers. The visitors’ second goal came from a perfectly timed deflection from a midfield pass.

After half time Truro came out determined to get onto the scoresheet. Player of the match Lois Rowlands defended high up the pitch cutting out Truro’s attacking moves down their left wing. With centre back Joey Drake and Anna Luxton defending on the left, Oke snuffed out Truro’s attack.

Oke were rewarded with a final goal when Sarah Bazeley received the ball out wide on the right wing, out-witted her defender and crossed the ball in front of goal to find an Oke stick to put the ball into the corner of the Truro goal.