HOLSWORTHY'S very first game of the season gets earlier and earlier, any earlier and it will soon be played before the previous season has finished. Needless to say the weather was verging on the autumnal, it had rained much of the day, and indeed most of the week, and it was not over - warm, certainly not good enough to be allowed out without a sweater and jacket, writes Alistair Clements.

Okehampton Argyle play in the Eastern Division of the South West Peninsular League, one division below Holsworthy, Okehampton having achieved a fairly respectable position last season, although they had stuttered mid-season. Holsworthy scraped by, a competent late season having secured safety, they are expecting a decent season coming, commencing away at Cullompton in three weeks time.

For this game Okehampton had an experienced side and for the first half Holsworthy utilised much of last season's line-up although in the second half many of their youngsters were given a run out.

In the 35th minute an Okehampton free kick just inside the touchline was played over the top of the Holsworthy defence and was placed into the net by an unmarked and unopposed forward. 0-1.

Shortly into the second half Holsworthy equalised with a free kick on the edge of the area, given after Steve Hackett went down, which hit the post but an Okehampton defender could not evade the rebound and put into his own net . 1-1.

The well organised Okehampton side were putting pressure on Holsworthy's inexperienced youngsters and their Adam Mortimer rounded 'keeper Ryan Walters to score after a defensive error. 1-2. This was followed just before full time by a through ball splitting Holsworthy's defence to put the result beyond doubt at 1-3.

A disappointing scoreline for the Magpies but if last season's two areas of concern (picking up the ball in midfield to prevent opposition attacks developing, and dealing with the cross over the top of the central defenders) are addressed, all should be well. Credit to Argyle though, they controlled much of the game and deserved their result.