Oke Argyle stay in the title hunt

The race is heating up in one of the most exciting South West Peninsula League seasons for many years.

Six teams are in the hunt for the East Division title and Okehampton Argyle are fully involved in the drama, sitting in third position, just two points behind leaders Sidmouth Town and with games in hand on Cullompton in second.

Saturday’s visit from lowly Axminster Town should have been a foregone conclusion, on paper anyway, but the league is proving to be highly competitive every weekend, and the Okes were 15 minutes from defeat before finally finding their attacking rhythm.

The equaliser came from a fine volley by Josh Robins, rifling into the bottom corner after the ball had ricocheted around the penalty area. Three minutes later, the Moorland club grabbed the lead, Luke Mortimore firing home from close range.

Okes confirmed the points five minutes from time, when an Adam Bilcock free-kick was saved by the Axminster ‘keeper but the lurking Mortimore nodded in the rebound. Gloss was added to the victory with a last-minute goal from Jake Rowe. Okes have a tough game at fourth-placed Newton Abbot Spurs on Saturday.

Sidmouth maintained their lead at the top with a 3-0 defeat of Elburton Villa, one of the sides still in the mix in sixth position, while Stoke Gabriel continue to be the form team of the division, extending their winning run to seven games.

A goal from Jesse Howe was enough to earn mid-table Bovey Tracey a solid 1-1 draw at Crediton United.