Ladies 3rd XI Vs Dartmouth

Okehampton Ladies 3rds – 1                                                    Dartmouth - 0

Second in the league Dartmouth came to Okehampton with promotion hopes but these were shattered by the time they left.

In an exhilarating game, Okehampton pulled out all the stops.  Dartmouth were assured and quick, playing the ball with strength and stretching the play.  Okehampton were more measured with shorter passing moves but as their own confidence grew so did the accuracy and sharpness of their passing.  Izzy Rowlands and Viv Weatherington were intercepting the opponents’ searching hits through the middle and wingers, Maddie Davison and Alice Luke, had outstanding games, chasing every move made down the flanks and winning back possession time after time.  These two, who were jointly voted players of the match, were also instrumental, with the hard-working Izzie Thomas, in much of the link up play approaching the circle and getting the ball into the danger area to the forwards.

The two backs, Lois Rowlands and Ligaya Coatham, both played intelligent games for the Columbines, not rushing in with wild tackles, winning the ball and getting it wide to a team mate.  As the match progressed, Okehampton were dangerously advancing further forward and finding the space created at the front through the running of Alex Collins, Sarah Bazeley and Sophie Tripp.   Okehampton’s goal came from a well-worked short corner to Sophie Tripp who fired it passed the goalkeeper.

Once they fell behind, Dartmouth pressed with more urgency and Okehampton rode their luck at times as shots fizzed either side of the goal.  But goalkeeper, Carol Newman, was quick out to close down the Dartmouth strikers, blocking many a scoring attempt.  Dartmouth kept a player high for all the match to exploit the space as Okehampton went forward but she was well-marshalled by Sandy Houston and rarely had a sniff of goal.  As the match went on, Dartmouth got frustrated and ran out of ideas. In the end, Okehampton were worthy and deserved winners.

Next week, Okehampton 3rds are away at Sidmouth.