Ladies 1st XI Vs Exe 4

Exe 4 -0

Okehampton 1sts – 2

The game started positively with the drizzle easing and an Okehampton push back.  A dynamic start with Okehampton putting pressure on the Exe defence early.  Kim Davey made the Exe defence nervous, testing the keeper early with some blistering strikes at goal. Oke, were dominant in possession, Captain, Sophie Whiteley bossing the midfield and combining well with the speedy duo of Lucy Wiseman and Molly Marvin.  There were opportunities aplenty for Okehampton, but the Exe goal keeper was solid in her shot blocking.  After being tenacious in the pursuit of a first goal, winning numerous short corners, it was from open play that Okehampton made it 1-0.  The ball was played into Emily Rowlands, who drove determinedly towards their goal.  She vexed the central defenders with a well timed pass to Lucy Wiseman, who still had a lot to do.  But showing composure greater than her years, Lucy drove into the D and neatly passed the ball into the bottom corner of the goal!  Okehampton remained on top for the rest of the first half.  A solid performance in central defence from Laura Parsons and Helen Dalton meant that Exe had no chance to trouble the Okehampton goal.  Ella Kaye, Okehampton’s goal keeper, however showed great concentration.  Not long into the second half, despite having previously had little to do, she made a powerful clearance from a rare breech of the Okehampton back line.  Okehampton continued to dominate possession, Hannah Whiteley, having a fine game at left wing-back, not only regaining possession with some solid tackling but quickly turning defence into attack with some dazzling runs into the Exe 25.  Both Rochelle Woollacot and Zoe Curtis got into some fantastic positions upfront, working tirelessly and being unfortunate to be kept off the scoresheet by the Exe goal keeper.  Okehampton created many chances, utilising their attacking minded wing-backs in Miss Whiteley and Elly Jenkins. Finally after a well worked team move, Kim Davey showed great composure to put Okehampton 2-0 ahead.  Okehampton’s midfield and forwards, continued to work together some fantastic moves, a performance to be proud of.  But it was the inspired performance as an attacking wing back which earnt Miss Whiteley the honour of man of the match today.  Okehampton can take much confidence from today into their next league match which is against their second team on the 2nd February.