England Hockey National Cup

PENZANCE 1

OKEHAMPTON MEN’S FIRSTS 5

AFTER a cancelled game on Saturday Oke men’s first team were eager to start their campaign in the EH National Cup.

Travelling to Penzance, Okehampton started off strongly and were soon in the lead with Chapman crossing the ball for Luke Miller to deflect into the goal.

The home side tried to amount some attacks but Okehampton’s defence of Alfie Morgan, Cooper, Jackson and Rodgers was resolute and stood firm.

The second goal for Oke came from some great build up play with the final ball threaded through by Jackson to Chapman who scored with a solid back hand smash against the backboard.

Goal number three followed a defensive misunderstanding and the ball set up nicely for Bourne to rifle into the roof of the net.

Okehampton continued applying pressure with Speak and Smith linking up superbly with striker Chapman. Just before the end of the half Liversidge ran through the home side’s defence to the base line, crossed the ball for Miller to make it 4-0 to the visitors.

Penzance started off the second half much stronger winning a short corner which they converted. The away team began to dominate again and had a penalty flick which they were unable to convert. Nonetheless Oke finished with a flourish; a free hit inside Okehampton’s half was fired up top by Liversidge with a beautifully disguised slap into Chapman, who turned and finished the ball through the keepers legs.