Copp fury over Appledore defeat

By devworkexp

APPLEDORE manager Geoff Copp could not hide his anger as his side slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against Okehampton Argyle.

The home side dominated but missed a string of chances.

And they were made to pay 14 minutes from time as Adam Mortimer rounded off a rare attack by the visitors.

Copp, who can see Appledore's Peninsula Division One promotion hopes fading, said: "I am absolutely furious. It's unbelievable how we have lost the game.

"I don't know how many chances we missed inside the six-yard box — ones that we blasted when we just needed to pick a spot. And on top of that we've conceded two goals from our own mistakes.

"Overall the performance wasn't bad, but it is just the finishing and the defending that is costing us. It's not good enough."

Okehampton could only muster 11 players for the game but made a dream start as defender Matt Mortimer rose unmarked to head home a right-wing corner after three minutes.

Appledore responded well and nearly levelled a minute later but Chris Brown lost control with the goal at his mercy.

Appledore continued to rally as Richard Hevingham twice drew fine saves from Harry Geering in the Okehampton goal. Geering gifted the hosts a lifeline on the stroke of half-time as he allowed Darren Polhill's lobbed effort to creep inside his near post.

Polhill should have added a second minutes later but shot over from three yards.

Geering produced more heroics before Mortimer pounced to secure Okehampton's first league win since mid-September.

The defeat leaves Appledore ninth and Copp admits they must return to winning ways quickly if they are to climb higher.

"We wanted a top-six finish at the start of the season but it is going to be hard to achieve that now. We have got to get over this result and get back on track quickly if we are to achieve that," he said. "A season that promised so much five or six weeks ago is now really slipping from our fingers."

Striker Steve Skinner limped off midway through the second half but should be fit to face Liverton on Saturday. Midfielder Jamie Plight is likely to miss out again.