Southern one

Okehampton firsts 9

Chard 1

OKEHAMPTON men looked to improve on last week’s loss against a well travelled Chard side coming off the back of a good result.

The home side started brightly with Nick Luxton perfectly threading the ball through to joint man of the match Sam Whalley who slotted the ball past the helpless keeper to make it 1-0 in the opening two minutes.

Oke continued proceedings with great composure, with the midfield trio of Luke Liversidge, Nick Luxton and Reuben Bourne controlling the game. Okehampton kept the pressure on and good work from wingers Jack Watson and James Stevens won a short corner. The corner was delightfully tucked away by the towering figure of Rod Gers.

The Chard team responded well with some good pressure, which resulted in a goal back for the away team. Oke did not let this phase them and pushed on for more, with some more great work from the midfield. Luxton worked his way through the defence to turn the ball to Liversidge, who neatly tucked the ball away. The central defenders of Rob Hall and Gers kept a solid base for the forwards to keep working on the lead.

Full-backs Simon Bourne and joint man of the match Caleb Bourne started to join in the attack and add numbers for Oke. The ball worked its way out to Luxton who linked with Watson who turned the ball in to make it 4-1. Okehampton continued in this manner to win another short corner; Whalley slotted it to Liversidge who managed to beat the defender to deflect it home for the fifth. Just before the half ended, Okehampton worked the ball well through the field and Whalley worked it to Luxton; he found Josh Speak who turned the ball into the net from a tight angle. Okehampton went into the break 6-1 up.

The home side looked to keep defensive stability in the second half which was helped with some good work, including an outstanding save by keeper Jacob Jones.

The second half picked up from where the first ended, when Whalley turned the ball to Luxton who smartly finished the ball home. As the game went on, Okehampton controlled the play.

Whalley tricked his way through the defence and slotted it to Luxton, who again, coolly slipped the ball past the on-rushing keeper. The game was finished off by Whalley latching on to a loose ball and hitting it past the keeper to make it 9-1.