OKEHAMPTON Argyle put in a much-improved performance against mid-table Bovey Tracey and came away with three deserved points, writes Charlie Bond (for the Okehampton Times).
Argyle were without Billy Tucker who has moved to Southern League outfit Bideford along with Assistant Manager Kevin Darch. However, with Luke Alden returning to the squad, Okehampton were not short of quality players.
Bovey looked dangerous at the outset and on seven minutes Argyle lost the ball in midfield and Bovey sent in a strong shot which was well saved by Jack Arthur.
As the game progressed, Okehampton began to get on top and took the lead on 25 minutes producing a tremendous move with Luke Mortimore releasing Josh Coles on the left. He went round his man and played the ball into the box where Dan Koita, with his back to the goal, turned and slotted the ball past the home keeper.
On 42 minutes, a lovely ball forward by Adam Bilcock saw Koita forge into the box and finish past the keeper with a fierce shot, doubling his tally on the day and that of Argyle as well.
Koita is an unstoppable force in that Okey attack right now, netting a hat-trick in the Vase win over Millbrook AFC and scoring both goals in a draw with Middlezoy Rovers, both at the tail end of September.
Bovey started to up their game and the second half was very competitive but there was no further scoring. Argyle went close on several occasions but couldn’t add to their total.
Dan Koita was outstanding for Argyle once again but the defence was also very strong with Steve Goss and Jake Rowe having faultless games.
Bovey will visit Torridgeside in the Walter C Parsons League Cup on the weekend.
This defeat to Argyle leaves them in 14th out of 16 SWPL teams, having won two and lost six of their opening eight games. In the wake of the latest outing, Bovey manager Tony Radford announced that he was stepping away from the role (read more about this on the backpage).
Meanwhile, Teignmouth AFC had the weekend off and Newton Abbot Spurs enjoyed a 6-2 win away at Axminster Town.
Owen Green and Tate Breslan-Aggrey were at the double at Tiger Way with Brad Crocombe and Stuart Morgan coming off the bench to get in on the action as well.
Marc Revell’s men are fourth after the weekend’s fixtures but have played less than the trio above them.
League leaders Sidmouth Town are three points ahead having played one extra whilst Cullompton Rangers and Okey Argyle will have four and three extra fixtures under their respective belts by the time Spurs next kick a ball in the league.
Spurs will welcome Millbrook to The Rec in the WCP Cup whereas Teignmouth have another week off.