Ladies 3rd XI Vs Kingsbridge & Salcombe 2

Kingsbridge & Salcombe 2nds – 3                                         Okehampton Columbines 3rds -  2

Okehampton took on high-flying Kingsbridge & Salcombe who were lucky to come away with all three points as Okehampton matched them throughout.  In the pre-Christmas fixture, Okehampton were well beaten but they have worked hard in training on team defending and getting to the ball first which is starting to pay dividends.

The visitors pressed forward from the start, spreading the ball out to wingers, Eleanor Marvin and Maddie Davison, who again were real assets to the team and worked extremely hard down the flanks both defending and driving forward to support the attack.  When Kingsbridge came forward they did so at pace and in numbers.  Okehampton largely had them covered but a misunderstanding early on cost them an unnecessary goal.

The great thing about this Okehampton team now though is that they keep fighting and trust each other enough to pass the ball around.   Okehampton equalised within minutes of the subsequent push back when Alex Collins finished off a well-worked team attack. 

Izzy Rowlands is beginning to get a taste for the centre back position and she and Sarah Marvin dictated play in the centre of the pitch to thwart the oncoming forwards.  Kingsbridge were struggling to get a grip on the game and were fortunate to score another goal just before half time against the run of play.

Since joining the team this side of Christmas, player of the match, Anna Crome has brought some much-needed pace in the centre of the pitch and is fearless in taking on the opposition defence.  She linked up well with her wingers but they just could not create a clear-cut chance on goal.

The home side were quick and always looking to go forward and Carol Newman in the Oke goal had to make some good saves and kick the ball clear of danger on a number of occasions.  Right back, Jennie Humphry used her hockey skills to pick up the ball and take it away from the Kingsbridge strikers with left back, Louise Weller, in her usual determined fashion, hunting down the opposition players to win possession back for her team.

Unfortunately, as they pressed forward, Kingsbridge caught Okehampton on the break to score their third goal.  But Okehampton were not beaten yet.  Sandy Houston, who had been excellent all match at sweeper, incisively moved through the centre of the pitch and fired a shot into the circle for Sarah Bazeley, who was perfectly positioned, to deflect the ball past the keeper.  Despite their best efforts, time ran out for Okehampton who were entitled to feel they were unlucky not to have got something from this game.

Next week Okehampton 3rds are at home to Sidmouth & Ottery 4ths.