Okehampton beat Bovey with last-minute cracker

A brilliant last-minute strike from Brad Ausden was enough to win the Moorland derby for Okehampton Argyle and send them top of the South-West Peninsula League.

The Okes also won in midweek and, as an appetiser for the showdown with Bovey Tracey, they bagged a late winner to defeat Crediton United. Jake Rowe, Morgan Reynolds and Luke Alden were the scorers on that occasion.

Bovey, meanwhile, were playing their second Moorland debut in the space of a week, having drawn 1-1 with Ivybridge Town on the previous Saturday.

The visitors had the first couple of half-chances before Dom Aplin made a super save for Bovey. A strike from Okehampton’s Jake Lowe was cleared off the line by Si Laughton and the home side hit the bar from the subsequent corner in a frenetic opening.

Neil Last was twice thwarted by the Okes ‘keeper and Laughton also headed narrowly off target. Okes responded with a Luke Mortimore effort that proved comfortable for Aplin. The half ended with Bovey escaping an almighty goalmouth scramble.

The second half was a far more scrappy affair, Mortimore hitting the side-netting with a rare opportunity and Oke then had a goal disallowed for an infringement.

The home side had a strong penalty claim turned down in the final minute and must have thought their chance had gone. But, step forward Ausden, thundering a super effort into the top corner for a dramatic Oke win.

Bovey welcome Newton Abbot Spurs on Wednesday and then travel to Elmore on Saturday, while the Okes are at home to Dartmouth this weekend.