Ladies 3rd XI Vs Sidmouth & Ottery 3

Petroc Division 2

Sidmouth and Ottery Thirds 1 – Okehampton Ladies Thirds 1

On a chilly wintery day Okehampton began the second half of their season at their home astro turf against Sidmouth and Ottery Thirds.  Despite Okehampton starting with the first win of the day: the toss, it was Ottery and Sidmouth who applied pressure onto Okehampton’s defence initially.  The visitors were quick, but Okehampton were able to hold them at bay through good battling and tackling from Lois Rowlands, Sophie Mugliston and Lisa May.  The ball was played around and moved across; up and down; on and off the pitch as both teams tried to make some chances.  Emelia Bazeley put some important tackles in and Sarah Marvin and Jane Jones, with much energy in their legs, worked tirelessly to block and turn around attacks from the opposition.  Ottery and Sidmouth had a number of short corners that goal keeper Alice Wiseman took control of, clearing the ball effortlessly and effectively.  Further up the field on the attack Okehampton tried hard to penetrate the Ottery and Sidmouth defence.  Sarah Bazeley, Viv Weatherington and Sophie Tripp tried to create space by running off the ball as well as trying to respond to long balls from mid-field in order to give Okehampton some kind of advantage.

 After a well behaved first half both teams went off to have an inspiring team talk and to discuss further tactics to try to break the deadlock.  The whistle blew. Game on.  Okehampton were able to put together some passes and create some chances with many balls flying across and around the goal mouth.  These attacks often began from deep within the Okehampton half and Izzy Rowlands, who was able to keep herself in plenty of space on the wing was readily available to receive the ball from any turned over attacks. Sandy Houston, who earlier in the game had sent a ball sky high over the cross bar - such was her determination to score, received the ball in space, turned and fearlessly charged towards the opposition’s goal.  With just the keeper to beat a goal looked imminent.  However, the keeper had other ideas taking Sandy to the floor and the teams was rewarded with a penalty flick.  At this point central defender, and player of the match, Joey Drake was called upon to take on the keeper - one on one.  With the watchful eye of a large group of supporters and her teammates she managed to send the keeper the wrong way and skilfully flicked it accurately into the back of the net.

 As the game started again Sidmouth and Ottery continued to apply pressure trying to find the equaliser.  As they broke down their right hand side, Okehampton defence were drawn leaving an opposition player unmarked.  An accurate ball went through the defence and found this player who was able to slot it into the Okehampton’s goal.  The game, which was played in a very friendly and enjoyable manner, ended as a draw.

 Okehampton Thirds play at Totnes against Dart 2 next week.