Simmonds Park provided the setting for Citys’ latest away game visiting Okehampton Argyle,fellow promotees from last season and a much anticipated further test.
There was a distinctly autumnal feel given the chill in the air and the colours of the surroundings,on the banks of the East Okement river (simplified by a pre Grease Olivia Newton John to Ohio).As the teams lined up there appeared a tactical conundrum about to unravel,with City lining up in the 3 4 1 formation the manager had alluded to previously,Okehampton looking to an ambitious 3 1 4 facing downhill.
However as the choice went captain Sams’ way,it was City who looked to start the delayed kick off playing against the gradient and Okehampton reverted to a lesser attack minded structure.
As the teams settled over the opening minutes,City pressed,notably with a Will P shot,but back in defence,Charlie and Sam P had to show body strength to hold off spirited Argyle offensives.
Gradually,over the first 15 minutes,the balance of play was definitely with the visitors,Joe and Alfie W getting plenty of the ball on the right hand side,at one stage forcing the keeper to leave the area,and suddenly a Ewan shot was close and City were taking a fourth corner.
First blood to the away side as Will P swept over a flighted ball and Dan made a clever run to head the ball with power,rippling the net in a move that had practice ground meets inspiration written all over it.A certain top three goal of the season contender,at this early stage anyway.
The rugby pitch was certainly a sapping surface to control and measure a passing game of football so it wasn’t just the residential last week that some of the lads had enjoyed that contibuted to the weariness displayed by both teams as the game went on.
The half ended with City a goal to the good but not one nil.Okehampton had levelled with five minutes to go but Citys’ lead was immediately restored when Alfie W went on a poaching mission to capitalise as the Argyle goalkeeper could not pick the ball up outside of the area.He almost cajoled the ball back to his feet and put it in the net, tumbling as he did so.
Following the break,substutions made saw the introduction of Ryan,Will A(outfield) and Alfie R,with Charlie given more free rein in midfield.
Although the sun had come out,the wind was blowing off the moor and it seemed to negate the perceived advantage of the gradient.Sam R was drop kicking consistently with distance and Josh in the centre of defence was constantly battling the onslaught as it came back.
Ewan continued to run byline to byline,more so defensively in the second half,a tireless display earning the Man of the Match award.Ryan took over corner duties but City just couldn’t press home the advantage when presented and the final score was secured when Sam R was given no chance from the penalty spot.
Those looking for the magic of Dartmoor however only had to wait until near the end of this game.Prior to handing over the captains armband to Dan,Sam P executed a remarkable diving header to divert a certain goalbound ball over the crossbar and maintain the unbeaten away record,the incident provoking spontaneous applause from all around,including the referee.
Now then Sam,with Halloween approaching,was that trick or treat?.A treat to watch from the City followers.
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