Southern one

Okehampton mens firsts 0

Dart 4

IT was a disappointing display from the Okehampton firsts this week, which led to an away defeat at Dart.

With a bare XI for the travelling side it was likely to be a tough game, especially when missing some key players. A solid start from the visitors was soon rewarded with a short corner that drifted just wide.

From the resulting turnover, the Dart side pressed forward shifting play right and left then back again to create an opening and an opportunity on the right side of the D and deflecting the ball passed the sprawling Jacob Jones in goal. 

Okehampton struggled to put the disappointment of conceding this first goal behind them and were soon 2-0 down when Dart managed to slip the ball to an unmarked player on the spot who calmly pushed the ball passed the stranded keeper.

This goal galvanised the visiting side and they managed their best passage of play, creating a number of chances and winning further short corners that the Dart keeper kept out of the home side’s goal.

The Oke central defenders, Rod Gers and Neil Rowlands, held the young, energetic Dart forwards at bay for the remainder of the first half with Rob Hall and Luke Liversidge holding the centre with calm authority.

The second half started much like the first and a missed clearance at the top of the D opened up the Oke defence and the home side slotted in a third with another deft deflection.

The visitors continued to battle hard with some weaving runs up the right from Jack Watson and some tireless work up front from Sam Whalley and Josh Speak and all three Bournes finding themselves with space to run in but nothing broke the Dart defence.

As legs tired, the home side extended their lead when scoring a fourth.