South division Okehampton ladies 4

Mannamead ladies 3

OKEHAMPTON were caught hopping at the very start of this re-organised league match. 

Mannamead had push back and within seconds had a short corner and a goal. 

Okehampton then got themselves together and made several well-organised attacks but to no avail.  The ball hit the post, skimmed past the goal mouth and skittered off the pitch but would not go between the posts. 

Jo Moppett, Oke's player of the match, finally evened the score with able support from Lesley Bingham and Kim Davey.

Bingham's superb positioning paid off again when she tapped a cross from Moppett in to put Okehampton 2-1 in the lead.

Okehampton were now dominating the play with the centre field taking the fire out of most attacks.  Amanda Sims, Carol Taylor and Louise Weller dogged the opposition, getting the ball out and back to the attack.  Mannamead made breaks and from a short corner equalised. 

Mannamead's enthusiasm at short corners let them down with an over hasty dash.  Okehampton swiftly taken hit out found Davey who passed to Moppett and onto Bingham to score whilst Mannamead were still returning up the pitch.

Davey, who showed persistence and skill in pursuing the ball, was felled by a fierce ball as she defended a short corner and had to retire for the remainder of the game.

 Okehampton scored again with a virtually solo run by Moppett; her shot came across at an acute angle and sliced through the defence.  Mannamead became a little frantic now with Okehampton 4-2 in the lead and the game in its last minutes.  Their energies paid off when awarded a penalty flick, which although completely mis-hit, fooled goalie Shannon Osman, to bring the final score to 4-3.

This was a well deserved win and leaves Oke ladies midway in the table.

n Okehampton ladies are at home to Plym Valley ladies in the league on January 12.