Football: Okehampton in end of term goalfest

 Okehampton Argyle 4 Teignmouth 7

South West Peninsula League Division One East

Report from Charlie Bond – Okehampton Argyle FC

This match was an end of season goal fest as both sides pushed forward all afternoon to produce an entertaining game.  Okehampton were missing key defenders Matt Mortimer and Chris Wills with injuries and midfielders Stuart Entwhistle, Ed Squire and Steve Kinsey, who were all away for the weekend.  However, the most missed was goalkeeper Harry Geering who was playing his first sport of cricket.  With no other keeper available, manager Stuart Cann had to play in goal and the feeling among the crowd was that if Geering had played, Argyle would have edged this match.  

Teignmouth started off at a tremendous pace playing fast, physical football and took the lead after only six minutes when former Exeter City player Geoff Breslan fired home a 25 yard drive that deflected past Cann off an Okehampton defender.  Twelve minutes later, they were two up after Craig Stonelake chested home a ball into the box, which followed from a disputed free kick.  A minute later, Stonelake blasted home from the edge of the box after a slick Teignmouth movement caught the Argyle defenders out of position.  Okehampton showed great character to reduce the arrears within a minute when Kel Fofala charged down a clearance to force the ball home.  

The second half started with a bang when Argyle pulled the score back to 2 – 3 four minutes after the break.  Steve Williams was released on the left by a beautifully weighted pass from Ricky Wooldridge and the forward rounded the keeper and fired home from a narrow angle.  Three minutes later, Teignmouth restored their two goal cushion when Cann was only able to parry a long shot into the path of Adam Hill who scored easily.

Okehampton still fought back and on 62 minutes, Chris Hollands’ played an expertly timed ball to Frankie Nomah-Koneh who beat the away keeper Darren Shrubb with a superbly placed shot from the edge of the box.  Six minutes later and Teignmouth were 5 – 3 up when Paul Tucker netted, only for Argyle to reduce the arrears to one goal again on 70 minutes when captain James Williams showed great persistence to beat three players in the box and fire home.

At this stage, the home fans thought an amazing 5 – 5 draw might be on the cards, but it was Teignmouth who had the better of the last 20 minutes.  A headed goal from Adam Fay increased their lead on 77 minutes and then 10 minutes from time, Geoff Breslan caught Cann off his line with a 40-yard lob to complete the scoring.      

Next Saturday’s fixtures

South West Peninsula League Axminster Town H 3pm

Devon & Exeter League Div 4 Reserves v Tedburn St Mary A 3pm

Devon & Exeter League Div 7 3rds v Amory Argyle H 3pm