Okes outplayed by current champions in difficult conditions

Okehampton Argyle First Team Match Report

South West Peninsula League Division One East

Sat 17th December

Okehampton Argyle 0  Liverton United 4

 

Despite the North Dartmoor weather, Okehampton's managers worked hard all Saturday morning to get the Simmons Park pitch into a condition where this top of the table game could go ahead.  Unfotunately though, the result on the day was a disappointment as reigning champions Liverton outplayed their hosts to claim a convincing victory after an entertaining game. 

 

Liverton were the more dominant side throughout and only some excellent defending by Argyle kept them out early on.  The Okes had to cope with the loss of full back Ben Williams with an ankle injury after 10 minutes but substitute Phil Adams was an able deputy. Harry Geering was in fine form in the Okes' goal and did well to save from Tom Sercombe before seeing Sam Green's thirty yard effort crash back off the bar, but the constant Liverton pressure finally paid off 6 minutes before the break. The impressive Glenn Palmer was a constant thorn in the home defence and he crafted the goal on his own, creating space on the right flank before sending in an inch perfect cross for James Tuffey to head home.  With the Argyle supporters hoping that their team could hold on till half-time, Liverton got the killer goal 4 minutes later.  Simon Lewcock's run down the left saw his cross met with a firm header by Tom Sercombe.  Somehow  Geering managed to keep the ball out but Shane Shobrook powered home the loose ball from close range.

 

The first 15 minutes of the second half saw the Okes start to put together some good attacking movements, but Liverton put an end to the revival as a Robbie Bowker free kick was headed past Geering by the unmarked Sercombe with 27 minutes left to play.  To Okehampton's credit, they never gave up and Matt Mortimer hit the bar with a looping header from a corner and Ed Squire had a penalty shout waived away after a lunge by Rob Farkins.  Substitute Steve Madge saw his effort pass just over the bar after a fine run and shot.  However, there was no way back for the home side and Liverton put the game to bed on 90 minutes when Lewcock again provided a great through ball and Bowker let loose from 20 yards for the ball to cannon off the far post and into the net.  To add to Okey's misery, Ed Squire was dismissed deep into added time for a second yellow card.

 

This win sees Liverton move to the top of the table while Okehampton remain in third place, a tremendous first half of the season for the all amateur Simmons Park side.  On the day, Liverton were the better side and thoroughly deserved their win, but Argyle's side will relish better surfaces later in the season when their ball players and short passing game will be able to flourish.  Harry Geering had a good game in the Okes' goal and Matt Mortimer, coming back after seven games out, led the defence well.

 

Upcoming fixture:

Boxing Day

South West Peninsula League: 1sts v Crediton Utd away 11am