Ladies 1st XI Vs bude

Bude - 1

Okehampton Ladies 1s - 1

It was the last game of the season for Okehampton Ladies first team, a rearranged match from one of the snowy weekends.  On the day that the clocks changed they were blessed with blistering sunshine away at Bude.  Only Rachel Adams and Elly Jenkins made the poor decision of wearing wimp shirts, for the warmest playing conditions of the season!

Bude and Okehampton have been battling in the relegation zone all season and with the recent run of results going in favour of Bude, Okehampton Ladies were playing for the love of the game today.   Emily Rowlands, got the team ready for the start of the game with a thorough warm up, with some assistance from potential players for the future, William and Jasmine.  Bude had first push back, but some fantastic team work from the midfield trio of captain Sophie Whiteley, Jess Moyse and Nicky Strawbridge saw Okehampton soon in possession.  Okehampton utilised their speed on the wings from Ellie Shayler, Hannah Whiteley and Emily Rowlands finding themselves camped in the Bude half for much of the first part of the match.  A series of slick short corners with Nicky Strawbridge firing them in for Lesley Bingham somehow didn’t quite find the backboard.

Bude had some skilful individuals and were rewarded for their speed on the break by scoring first.  This spurred Okehampton to play with more purpose.  Bude continued to press but a composed and strong back line of Nicky Pedrick, Laura Parsons and Hannah Gibbons won Oke the ball back.  A series of dynamic passages of play starting from the back put a lot of pressure on the Bude goal.  After a tense period of being camped in near the Bude goal mouth, Nicky Strawbridge with an emphatic finish drew Oke level.  Rochelle Woolacott and Rachel Adams continued to stretch Bude’s defence, often catching Bude on the break.  However, the Bude keeper had a solid game, somehow denying Lesley Bingham from putting Oke in front right on the goal line.  Alice Wiseman, was epic in the Oke goal, showing fast feet and making some cracking saves to keep the scores level.

Oke finished the game with a series of free hits and long corners around the Bude goal.  Jess Moyse and Sophie Whiteley repeatedly penetrated the Bude D with their free hits, with the forwards and wingers making some dynamic runs.  Unfortunately a second goal never quite came their way.  On a day where Oke may feel they were unlucky not to have seen a higher number on the score board, a draw was a fair reflection of the game.  Considering the sunshine and proximity to the beach, Okehampton Ladies were hopeful of a tropical teas of cocktails and pineapple after the game.  However, it was pizza and chips that was on offer, but followed by a well deserved ice cream for some after a solid performance by Oke.  A positive performance to end the season with great promise for next year.