PL Brixham AFC v Okehampton Argyle 28th Jan 2023

[Dave]

Match Referee Alan Bassett
Assistants Roderick Ashman & Paul Allen

Final Score Brixham AFC 3 Okehampton Argyle 0

Match Preview

I think I knew when I was walking out of Wall Park last Saturday, I would be back again in seven days. Brixham AFC win over Raynes Park Vale in the 4th Round of the FA Vase, showcased everything that is good and special about the club. It was a history making day and each and every player gave their all. A game plan that worked to perfection and the team has the ability and quality to keep the dream alive.

Tim Porter had this to say after the match “while the Vase is a great distraction from Brixham’s South West Peninsula League campaign, the league remains the most important thing. Brixham are fourth in the Peninsula Premier East division at the moment and the top four at the end of the season will be promoted into the Premier South of the new Western Peninsula League. But promotion, followed swiftly by a trip to Wembley in the final of the Vase - how amazing would that be?”

Today game could have such a huge impact on the very final league table this season. Okehampton come to Wall Park in the number one spot on 56 points from the 23 league games they have played to date. Winning 18 of them, drawing two and losing 3, with a plus 33 goal difference.

While Brixham AFC is currently in 4th place in the league table on 43 points, they have only played a total of 19 league games so far. Winning 13 of them, drawing 4 and suffering just 2 defeats, with a plus 39 goal difference.

The two clubs have already met twice this season and Brixham won both of them. On Wednesday 28th September at home in the St Lukes Challenge Cup, Brixham scored the winning goal in the 90th minute to make the final score two goals to one.

Just a few days later on the 1st October Brixham travelled to Simmons Park home of Okehampton Argyle for a league match. A very strong and determined Brixham side came away with all three points after winning the game by two goals to nil.

Can Brixham make it three wins out of three against Okehampton Argyle this season? Brixham won both of their last two league games by six goals to nil. On Boxing Day at home against Dartmouth AFC and again at home on the 7th January against Plymouth Marjon.

Match Report On The Dartmouth Game

davesworld.proboards.com/thread/1067/brixham-dartmouth-26th-december-2022

Okehampton have not played a league game since the 27th December when they faced Holsworthy away and won the game by and one the game by one goal to nil. They were in action on the 2nd January away to Sidmouth Town in the third Round of the Walter C Parson Cup, a game they won by six goals to one.

Okehampton have just signed Myles James from Teignmouth AFC who goes straight into the squad and is available for selection for this match.

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Match Report


What a class act Brixham AFC are, last weekend knocking out Raynes Park Vale who play at a step higher out of the FA Vase and this weekend giving the league leaders a football lesson.

Make no mistake, Okehampton Argyle are a very good side that is why they are top of the table, but I think the current Brixham side is the best one I have ever seen. Their work rate is superb, their defence is rock solid and they seem to be able to score goals or fun. As soon as any of the argyle players had the ball at their feet, there was a Brixham player trying to win the ball off him. Every high ball was won by a Brixham head and Grant Fisher in goal for Brixham once again did not have a meaningful save to make during the whole game.

To be the best you not only have to beat the teams below you, but the ones at the top as well, Brixham have now beaten the league leaders not once but three times this season, that fact speaks for itself.

The match referee blew up for the start off the match, both teams set off at a lightening pace and Okehamptons approach play looked good until they reached the edge of the Brixham box. They won an early free kick just outside the box and Luke Mortimore decided to take the kick, but he only managed to fire the ball into the Brixham defensive wall.

Brixham came close to taking an early lead from a corner kick. The ball was fired high to the back post where it was headed at goal, but an Okehampton defender just managed to head the ball on the goal line to prevent what would have been a certain goal.

A great Brixham move down the left hand side ended with Kieron Parkin hitting a low powerful shot that only just went wide of the right hand post. Brixham then won five corners on the trot, but nothing came from any of them.

But Brixham did not have to wait to much longer to score the first goal of the match. Great work by Charlie Johanseen out on the left saw him fight to hold onto the ball and then playing the perfect ball to the edge of the Okehampton box. Aaron Wellington said thank you very much as he hit a first time low shot into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

Okehampton won another free kick just outside the Brixham box. New signing Myles James, who had a good game on the whole, took the kick this time but blasted his effort high over the crossbar.

Up the other end Brixham looked certain to score again, a snap shot very close in was fired at goal and Aaron Dearing in goal for Okehampton pulled off a wonderful reaction save.

Another Okehampton attack broke down on the edge of the Brixham box and on the counter attack the ball was fired long to Scott Robinson who ran into the box from the left hand side, but his shot flew over the crossbar.

Brixham were working so hard, fighting for every single ball and their defence looked impregnable. Any shots which were few and far between from Okehampton were outside of the Brixham box. Luke Mortimore hit a shot from there and it ended up being a simple catching practise for Grant Fisher.

The referee blew up for half time, Brixham fully deserved their lead but you always wonder if one goal will be enough to take all three points on offer.

The second half got underway and Brixham were soon on the attack again. A great low ball was played into the Okehampton box by Charlie Johanseen, from the left hand side, Reese Somers hit a first time shot at goal from close in and forced Aaron Dearing into making another very good save.

I just wrote that down in my notebook and looked up and saw a player from each side on the deck. One of those handbag moments then happened with plenty of pushing and shoving. The referee went over and started talking to Paul Allen who was running the line. After what seemed ages the referee went back on the pitch and called Okes Luke Mortimore to him and showed him a yellow card.

I thought that was it but the referee did not restart the match but went over to talk with Paul again. When that was over he called both Charlie Johanseen and Okes Jake Rowe to him and showed both of them a yellow card.

The game finally restarted and there were sting tackles flying in everywhere. Brixham had a chance to add to their first half lead when Charlie hit a shot from just inside the right hand side of the Okehampton box, but the shot went high over the crossbar. He then hit a powerful low ball into the box very close in, but no Brixham player could get a toe on it.

Trying their best to get back into the game, Okehampton often looked stretched at the back. A great ball was played to Charlie Johanseen out on the right. Head down Charlie raced into the box and you just knew the ball was going to hit the back of the net.

Brixham soon made it three goals to nil, Scott Robinson did well to beat his man just inside the left hand side of the Okehampton box and played a perfect low pass to Kieron Parkin to fire home.

On another day it could have been five or six for Brixham today and Okehampton can have no complaints as they were beaten by the better side. A big well done Brixham you are a joy to watch.

I made the right choice today covering this match, Buckland lost their 4th Round FA Vase game today against Ascot by three goals to one. Brixham are now the only Devon team still in the FA Vase and my bet to be crowned the league champions.