South West Peninsula League division one east
Buckfastleigh Rangers 1
Okehampton Argyle 8
ARGYLE were expecting a tough game at Buckfastleigh who were above them in the league, having lost only one match prior to this game. However the Okehampton side came out and took the game to the home side, showing no fear of their reputation.
Okehampton took the lead after five minutes when a beautiful through ball from George Pitts allowed Steve Williams to race in from the left and head past the Bucks' keeper.
Buckfastleigh showed why they have made such a good start to the season, by coming back at Argyle and the lead was preserved by their keeper and man of the match Dan Malcolm, who made a couple of outstanding stops.
Despite these efforts from the home side, it was still Okehampton who were dominating the midfield and it seemed only a matter of time before the lead would be increased.
However, the game took an unexpected turn when Buckfastleigh were awarded a penalty after George Pitts was adjudged to have fouled one of their forwards. This was duly converted by Arron De Young.
Argyle came back at the Bucks straight away and within minutes a fabulous through ball from George Pitts found Adam Mortimer, who rounded a defender and crashed the ball home.
Minutes later, a great build up by Agyle had the Bucks' defence at sixes and sevens, and Chris Wills' cross deceived their defenders and went straight into the net to give Argyle a 3-1 half-time lead.
The second half saw Buckfastleigh pressurise the visitors as they attempted to get back in the match but some more fine goalkeeping by Dan Malcolm preserved Argyle's lead.
Argyle struck back with some swift counter attacks and 15 minutes in, Adam Mortimer again finished clinically after Ed Squire had won the ball from a Buckfastleigh defender.
Then came the goal of the match as Argyle's Ed Squire raced clear on the right and his cross was shot home first time by Adam Mortimer giving the Bucks keeper no chance.
Buckfastleigh's heads now began to drop and Steve Williams put Adam Mortimer clear for his fourth goal, quickly followed by another for Argyle, this time slotted home by Steve Kinsey after Mortimer's shot had rebounded off the post.
The scoring was completed five minutes from time with another fabulous goal. Substitute Matt Sanders won the ball in midfield and found Adam Mortimer with a lovely through ball into the box. Without bothering to bring the ball under control, Mortimer volleyed the ball over the Bucks' keeper to score his fifth and Okehampton's eighth goal.
This goal brought applause from the home supporters as did several of Dan Malcolm's saves, and the whole match was played in a very sporting manner which was a credit to the game.
l Next Saturday Argyle play Appledore in South West Peninsula League, kick off 3pm.