Ladies 3rd XI Vs OPM

OKEHAMPTON LADIES 3RD TEAM 1 OPM 4

Filled with enthusiasm after a win against Truro last Saturday, Okehampton Ladies 3rd team went out seeking league points against a strong OPM team placed 4th in the league. To start, the teams seemed equally matched and strong attacking play from mid-fielders Sophie Tripp and Nicky Strawbridge meant they connected repeatedly with forwards Viv Weatherington and Sandy Houston who were unlucky not to open the scoring within the early stages of the game.

Despite having the majority of the possession, strong defending from the OPM players meant that Okehampton were unable to find the back of the net and the OPM team gradually settled and started to fight back. Several speedy breaks from their attackers left the Oke defenders Lois Rowlands, Melissa Pinfield and Joey Drake with plenty of work to do and several shots were deflected by excellent goal-keeping from Carol Newman. As the first half drew to a close, OPM used the width of the pitch and the speed of their wings to open up a two-nil lead.

Not down-hearted, Oke came back strongly in the second half skilfully playing the ball out to Zoe Curtis and Sarah Bazeley on the wings. This combined with excellent mid-field play from Jane Jones kept the OPM team feeling the pressure – so much so that they would receive 3 green cards before the match was completed! Despite 3 occasions when OPM were a player down and several attempts on goal from Louise Watts, OPM extended their lead to 4-0. Second half goal-keeper Daisy Morgan found herself facing repeated attacks from the OPM forwards and made several crucial saves. In the final 10 minutes of the game, with another fantastic run down the pitch and Oke desperate for a goal, Player of the Match, Zoe Curtis, placed perfectly right on the post, slotted the ball into the net and earned Oke a well-deserved goal.

This was the 3rds’ last match before Christmas and they will resume their campaign with renewed vigour in the New Year.