Ladies 1st XI Vs Duchy

Okehampton ladies 1st – 4

Duchy - 1

Okehampton Ladies first team entertained Duchy this weekend at home.  The team were buoyed by having a strong team with three subs.  This or perhaps the fantastic home support got Okehampton off to a great start in the game.  Forwards Claire Grubb, Lesley Bingham and Molly Petherbridge were excellent in their movement upfront, linking well with dynamic runs through the middle from Amy Taylor, with great link up play leading to the first goal, a brilliant finish from Amy Taylor!  Duchy looked bamboozled by the confidence with which Okehampton started.  Okehampton looking dangerous from everywhere on the pitch that they won the ball.  Many attacks starting from the wing backs, Kim McGrattan and Emilia Bazeley, linking beautifully with Sophie Whitely controlling the middle on the pitch. It didn’t take long before another goal was scored, following a great build up play from defence to attack, and Amy Taylor got her second!

With the introduction of the blistering pace of Nicky Strawbridge and Lucy Wiseman, Okehampton’s attacking play looked formidable, testing the Duchy defence time and again.  They held strong before conceding a penalty flick, where in going for pace in the corner, unfortunately, with the keeper beaten, the ball firmly struck the post.  This didn’t faze the Okehampton ladies, who if anything lifted their game again and following great link up play between Nicky Strawbridge and player of the match, Molly Petherbridge, Lesley Bingham emphatically hit the ball against the backboard for Okehampton’s third goal in the first half!  Towards the end of the first half, Duchy raised their game somewhat, but the defensive centre back duo of captain Nicky Pedrick and Joey Drake put not only their sticks but bodies on the line, and showed great composure in frequently being the starting point of turning defence into attack.

In the second half, Duchy started strongly and Ella Kaye in the Okehampton goal stood strong and made some fantastic saves, but eventually Duchy were rewarded with a goal for their efforts.  However, Okehampton lifted themselves again, continuing to press for another goal.  Despite missing a few weeks recently, Helen Dalton had a stormer of a game at the back, playing both wing back and centre back, and being the catalyst for many of Okehampton’s attacks.  She linked well with great pace on her passes to midfielders Elly Jenkins and Sophie Whitely. 

Okehampton’s patience in the second half eventually paid off. From a side line ball in their own half, yet again another passage of play where dynamic movement and effective decision making from the Okehampton ladies, quickly created a real threat on the Duchy goal.  Lucy Wiseman showed tremendous strength and commitment, picking up the ball driving into the Duchy D, beating one player then managing to slip the ball past the goal keeper whilst colliding with her!  A fantastic finish to yet another great build up play by the team.  The game finished 4-1 to Okehampton, a thoroughly deserved win.  A team performance to be proud of, from which the team can take great confidence going into next week’s final game before the winter break away against White Eagles.