Ladies 2nd XI Vs Honiton Hornets

Honiton Ladies - 6                     Okehampton Ladies 2nds – 0

Despite the scoreline, this was a hard-fought game in which Okehampton played a full part.  Honiton are an experienced side who sometimes favour a physical approach whilst Okehampton have a number of youngsters in their first season of league hockey.

Columbines  got off to the better start, pegging Hornets back in their own half,  and pressing forward in attack.  Maddie Arden, playing her first game for the 2nd team, proved a useful outlet with her pace and caused problems for the Honiton defence who could not keep up with her.  But the tide turned when, against the run of play, Hornets scored on the break which gave them the lift they needed.

Okehampton’s Debbie Pritchard had an influential game at centre back intercepting passes and clearing the ball from danger.  She was supported by the hard-working Molly Marvin who, as the match went on, gained confidence and played the ball skilfully out of defence passing wide to Emma Wiseman who was comfortable in possession on the wing.  Ellie Shayler on the opposite wing also found space to work the ball forward, but for much of the match Okehampton played too narrowly in the centre of the pitch.

Once again, Columbines were undone by a goal on the break and now Honiton were an ever-increasing threat when they pressed forward.  Lucy Wiseman in goal made some breathtaking saves and was a thoroughly deserving ‘player of the match’.  There was little she could do about the goals scored and despite the best efforts of backs, Sandy Douglas, Zoe Curtis and Anna Luxton, Honiton were attacking in numbers.  Sandy made some good driving runs out of defence finding Tilly Dixon in midfield who was composed on the ball passing to forwards, Alex Collins and Rachel Adams, but they found it difficult to make an impression as they were tightly marked.

Okehampton never gave up and did create number of goal scoring chances.  In the end though, there were not enough of them and that was the difference between the two sides.

On Saturday, Okehampton have a league game at home against Teign 3rds starting at 2.00 pm.