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Okehampton firsts 4

Sidmouth and Ottery firsts 1

OKEHAMPTON hosted Sidmouth and Ottery on Saturday looking to carry on their strong, unbeaten start to the season.  A close game was anticipated with the teams having played each other on several previous occasions.

Sidmouth started the game stronger and pressed Okehampton early on. They were rewarded when they broke through the midfield and a shot rebounded off the head of the Oke keeper, George Morgan, to fall straight to the Sidmouth forward to put away.  Oke, not used to being behind this season, had to dig deep and start to press.

They started to move the ball quicker and their attacking game began to flow. The ball was moved wide to man of the match, Sam Whalley, who picked out the onrushing Luke Miller, and he coolly deflected home a sweet finish.

The Okehampton midfield of Whalley, Miller and Joff Stephens started to control proceedings. Chances started falling Okehampton’s way and with good link up play between forwards Brett Lawson, Josh Speak and Jack Watson. Oke won a short corner, which Whalley slotted in to the bottom left hand corner. 

Okehampton went in to the second half 2-1 up and looking for more, with Whalley converting a scrappy short corner. During an untidy period of the game, both sides’ indiscipline led to some cards being shown by the umpires with both sides losing players at times. Sidmouth started to show glimpses of attacking play, but the defence of Rob Hall, Ross Davidson, Simon Bourne, Jaden Reed and Mark Bingham all stood strong in repelling any danger. 

Okehampton managed to finish the game with one more goal, exemplifying the free flowing hockey that they are playing at the moment.  Whalley broke through the middle, slotting the ball to Reed who hit the ball round the keeper for Watson to tuck in on the back post.

Okehampton managed to keep their unbeaten run going on to the next week remaining three points clear at the top of the table.