Ladies 2nd XI Vs Exe 4

Okehampton Ladies Hockey Team 2 v Exe 4

This home game was destined to be a challenge for the 2nd team. Exe 4 were placed at the top of the league with the home team confident to improve their mid league table place. 

Okehampton opened the game with confidence and sustained so throughout the duration of the match. Maintaining possession and driving the ball forwards to optimise every chance to secure a goal against this strong, skilled side. Emma Wiseman, kept the ball wide of the defence to open space in the circle. Alex Collins and Rachel Adams were placed strategically to receive her passing shots but the opposing gaolie, preventing any opportunity they may have had. 

Mid fielders Viv Weatherington, Maddie Arden and Annabelle Rademaker worked tirelessly to feed the ball immediately back into the circle, forcing the Exe defence to remain alert at all times.  The home defence were not idle either and throughout the match Debbie Pritchard, Anna Luxton and Hannah Hawes ensured that a combination of intercepted loose balls from the Exe forwards and strong clear hit outs from the circle denied the visitors any chance to score. But Exe maintained their desire to win however Lucy Wiseman, goalie denied several opportunities for them. Her goal keeping was spectacular, saving several acute angled shots and cleared endless rebounding strikes by the Exe forwards. She deservedly won player of the match. It looked like the final score was going to be a draw, both teams attacking every ball and play moving swiftly from one end of the pitch to the other in quick succession.  But a momentary lapse of attention from the home side, saw Exe speed into the circle and just tap the ball over the goal line. This uneventful goal gave Exe the win that they had wished for but left the home side lost for words.  Considering the pace of play throughout the match and dogged determination from all the players this felt like an undeserved defeat. 

Next week Okehampton 2 play away to Ashmoor.

Report written by Sandra Douglas