Caradon ladies seconds 3

Okehampton Columbines Ladies 6

PLAYING on an excellent pitch, at Liskeard, Okehampton scored easily in the first few minutes when Jo Moppett found plenty of space in front of the goal.

Any sense of complacency was soon destroyed when Caradon scored a few minutes later also seeming to have space and time.

The game for the next 20 minutes was frustrating for Okehampton as they achieved some striking opportunities but to no avail. Kim Davey took the ball at great speed past several defenders down half the pitch to cross but to be thwarted. Other strikes just missed the goal mouth and others were picked up by Caradon's effective goalie.

Work in the circle achieved a short corner, which was taken by Viv Weatherington and her pass to Jo Moppett. Moppett hit it hard that when it caught a defenders stick it flew into the air, over all the defenders to find the top left of the goal. Soon another short corner was passed to Jane Jones whose shot was given the final touch by Viv Weatherington to ensure Okehampton's third goal and to leave the score at 3-1 at half time.

Okehampton's ex-team player, Becky Mortimer was a tower of strength for Caradon at centre half, distributing the ball and blocking many a promising attack formation.

A break through by Caradon left Okehampton's stand in goalie, Carol Taylor, one on one. She acted with her usual confidence and panache, took the ball and cleared it with a good clean kick.

Jo Moppett got Okehampton's fourth goal with an excellent run through the centre. Sarah Jones gave able support to Jo Moppett.

Caradon continued to attack on every opportunity and they scored their second goal off a short corner with a shot that was so true and hard that Okehampton could only applaud. They scored a third goal when right back Debbie Pritchard missed an easy ball across the goal mouth and left Caradon's left wing and goal hanger a doddle of a push into goal.

Within a few minutes Okehampton extended its lead again to 5-3 as a well placed pass from Viv Weatherington to Jo Moppett gave Jo all the opportunity she needed. Caradon did not give up and Debbie Pritchard stopped a strike from a short corner on the goal line.

Kim Davey's pace left many a Caradon's defender trailing and it was most satisfying when one of her shots at goal was caught by Viv Weatherington to edge it into goal for Okehampton's sixth.

l Okehampton have no league match until November 7 when they are away to Mannamead seconds.

Plymouth and district League

Oke Ladies seconds 0

Mannamead fourths 1

THE Okehampton side put their game plan into play concentrating on keeping possession of the ball against the Plymouth team and passing accurately to create goalscoring chances.

Crunching tackles and swift interceptions from Mannamead at this game played at Bickleigh Barracks made it difficult for Oke to keep on the attack.  Mannamead upped the pace and surged ahead through the middle of the pitch resulting in a confident strike at goal which found the back of the Oke net. Following an injury to an Oke defender the young team were down to 10 women.  They worked well together and absorbed alot of pressure until they were back to full strength.

At half time Okehampton changed their formation resulting in Sarah Jones and Sophie Whiteley covering the midfield and cutting out Mannamead's central channel of attack.  Half-backs Rachel Laidlaw and Hannah Whiteley marked their wings tightly making it difficult for Mannamead to penetrate through the Oke defence.  This left the Oke forwards space to attack resulting in a number of near misses at the Mannamead goal. Mannamead were looking to increase their lead at any opportunity but strong tackling from defender Netty Collett and some crucial saves from keeper Jo Moppett kept the opposition at bay.

In the last five minutes Oke made a final surge with left wing Annette Goswell narrowly missing the goal when she picked up a rebound from the opposing keepers pads.  Lottie Trerise on the right wing also battled hard using her speed and skill.

Oke thought they had got the equalising goal when Eve Colton accurately crossed the ball to Amanda Sim at the top of the circle to strike at goal.  Unfortunately the hard, clean strike just shaved the outside of the Mannamead post.

Oke player of the match was Rachel Laidlaw.