Okehampton Columbines ladies 2

Caradon ladies seconds 0

THE first half of this home league game looked like it could go either way. Caradon had slightly the upper hand with several short corners with some strikes stopped only on the goal line.

Okehampton demonstrated good blocking and passing across the centre line but were unable to look dangerous in attack.

Oke's defence which worked well with Netty Collette sweeping up most break throughs. Eve Colton and Lesley Gibson, playing together for the first time as the two forwards, worked hard and fast, and fought well for every ball and opportunity but could not quite get the effort to show in the score line.

The second half started with no score and it was Oke's feisty left back, Sandra Douglas, who broke the deadlock. With typical panache Douglas won the ball with a good tackle, took it up the wing and then powerfully crossed it for Lesley Gibbon to snip it in to score. Oke now played with more confidence and with touches that were a joy to watch. Neat square passes from Sandy Douglas to Alex Collins were sent shooting up the sideline; Louise Weller fought fierily while Viv Wetherington touched the ball with subtlety to take it away from her opponent and then to feed it accurately on; and Rachel Hammett running up the right wing for every opportunity and returning to support the defence.

Weaving her way through the Caradon defence, ably supported by Colton, Gibson's determination paid off as she claimed a second goal for Oke a hard fought game.

This week Okehampton ladies play Dartmouth at home with push back at 2.30pm.

Okehampton ladies seconds 1

Plym Valley thirds 0

OKEHAMPTON's current five win streak was not to be broken. Both teams quickly found their rhythm. But it was Okehampton who dominated possession with Sophie Cunnington linking well with forwards to create some goal-scoring opportunities while Amanda Sim and Abi Colton's pin-point passing pierced the visitor's defence. Threatening solo runs, innovative passing and solid support play were thrown at the home side in the last ten minutes of the first half. All of which dealt with extreme efficiency by centre back Katie Greaves. The first half ending level with neither team able to break the deadlock.

The second half began as the first, both teams unable to maintain constant possession. The tenacity of Annette playing left wing troubled the Plym Valley right back. Okehampton gradually began to dominate play. The anticipation of skipper Sophie Whiteley preventing any chance of an opposition attack with some superb interceptions. A number of short corners went Okehampton's way but none were converted as the Valley defence blocked any incoming shots. This continuous spell of pressure eventually broke the deadlock when a quick precise pass by Whiteley was met by Annette who placed the ball in the bottom right hand corner.

Oke took their foot off the gas which proved costly as numerous short corners were given against them. The power of Brieze Read and experience of Alex Collins forcing away any threat on goal. Nat Dennis and forward Eve Colton combined well down the right hand side without losing possession.