Liverton 2-2 Okehampton Argyle

In a very even encounter at Liverton, each team probably deserved a share of the points, although the Okes will be kicking themselves for allowing a 2 – 0 half-time lead to slip away. Liverton started the brightest and saw a half-hit shot rebound from the Argyle post after 5 minutes following a goalmouth scramble. However, play continued fairly evenly for the next 20 minutes and the Okes created a great opportunity for Steve Williams who dwelt too long on the ball before releasing his shot. After 20 minutes, James Williams played a tremendous through-ball out of defence for Steve Williams to race onto, and this time Steve’s finishing was superb, as he unleashed an unstoppable shot past the Liverton keeper. Liverton came back at the Okes and Dan Malcolm did well to turn a header over the bar, but Okehampton began to gain the upper hand and after 30 minutes, a good cross into the box was knocked down by Steve Williams for Steve Kinsey to fire home. The Okes had the better of the rest of the first half but were not able to extend their lead despite creating some good chances.
The second half continued in the same vein, but the Okes failed to convert their chances and a feisty Liverton side always came back at them. As usual, although Okehampton look a very good side coming forward, they always look a bit uncomfortable when defending as a unit, despite the defenders themselves showing great individual skill and courage. About halfway through the second half, a back-pass from Matt Mortimer to Mark Burdus saw the defender slip over on the wet surface, allowing the Liverton winger to race clear and deliver a perfect cross for Danny Harvey to reduce the arrears. The Okes now looked a little nervous and after the defence failed to deal properly with a cross from the left, Liverton’s prolific scorer Joe Bushin equalised with a spectacular overhead kick. To their credit, the Okes took the game to Liverton again, Matt Sanders going close with an in-swinging corner, and Matt Mortimer rattling the crossbar with a great shot from the edge of the box. But perhaps in the end a draw was a fair result with both sides playing some excellent football in difficult conditions. Matt Mortimer, Matt Sanders and Elliot Collins were the pick of an Okehampton side who all deserve credit for their performance.