Taunton Civil Service 5

AFTER a promising run of pre season games the Okehampton A squad Included five players under the age of 15 which is a real credit to the clubs youth system. Conditions were not perfect for hockey as the rain fell steadily all day.

Okehampton were facing an experienced side and it was not  long before they conceded the first goal.  Despite some good work from Zac Middleton Taunton found themselves two up within the first 20 minutes. Jake Lloyd was shown a green card for persistent fouling, and soon the captain and Brett Lawson brought in some of the young players to support his team.

Ross Davidson made his first league debut while Hayden Perrier and had another good game at left half. Despite the changes Okehampton went further behind and frustration set in as three soon became four! George Morgan pulled off a great save reaching high to his left to keep Taunton out. Brett Lawson came back onto the pitch and the home side finally threatened the Taunton defence. Chris Luxton received a pass down the right wing and cut into the D and won Okehampton's first short corner of the game. A well worked routine found Lloyd on the far post who's first attempt on goal was deflected out towards the edge of the D. Stuart Jarvis touched the ball back to Luxton who fired home into the roof of the net.  At half time the home side were 1-4 down.

The second half saw a change at the back with John Jarvis going off and Bingham moving back alongside Alex Osman in defence.

The home side started to finally play in the opposition's half and again Luxton won another short corner. A great delivery from Lloyd found Lawson who rifled the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-4

Jack Watson from out wide pulled the ball into Luxton, who picked out Lawson on the far post who scrambled the ball over the line - 3-4!

However the celebrations were soon muted when Taunton won a short corner and worked the play well to take the score to 3-5. With ten minutes to go Jake Lloyd played in Chris Luxton who coolly slotted the ball back home for 4-5

Alex Emuss for Oke was yellow carded as Taunton piled on the pressure. Tim Morgan conceded a short corner, but Mark Bingham was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

The final whistle went and the soaked crowd had been thoroughly entertained. Man of the match was Brett Lawson.