Okehampton Argyle - Simmons Park

Okehampton Argyle FC

Simmons Park

Courtenay Road

Okehampton 

Devon

EX20 1DS

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Ground Number: 1218
Saturday 2nd September 2023
Okehampton Argyle 1-3 Highworth Town
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

OKEHAMPTON ARGYLE FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was formed in 1926 by a group of railway workers in Okehampton. In 1929, the club joined the West Devon League before joining the Exeter and District League three years later. This was subsequently renamed the Devon & Exeter League and Okehampton Argyle would spend all but three years in this league up until 2007. They'd spent three seasons struggling in the South Western League between 1993 and 1997 but in 2007 they joined its modern-day equivalent, the South West Peninsula League, as founder members of Division 1 East. They lasted nine seasons here, briefly switching to the West Division for a year. Their best finish during this time was two eighth places. The 2015/16 campaign was not a happy one. They failed to win a game all season, ending on a single point after they had three deducted. Relegation meant a spell back in the Devon & Exeter League and a single season in the Devon League, the latter where they had a great record during the pandemic-interrupted seasons. In 2021, they rejoined the South West Peninsula League, finishing 3rd in their debut season before finishing as runners-up last season. This put right the previous season where they missed out on goal difference.

The club made their debut in both FA competitions this season. In the FA Vase, it was a giant-killing as they won 3-0 at higher-tier Wellington of the Western League Premier Division. Local cup wins include the Walter C Parson Cup in 2023 when they beat Liskeard Athletic 4-1 at Launceston. The town of Okehampton is in west Devon and has a population of just under 6,000. It is 21 miles west of Exeter, 26 miles north of Plymouth and 24 miles south of Barnstaple. Rugby and table tennis is also played in the town. Like many towns in the West Country, Okehampton grew on the medieval wool trade. Notable buildings in the town include the 15th-century chapel of St. James and Okehampton Castle and the 17th-century Okehampton Town Hall.

MY VISIT

This season I have done a game in both of the FA Cup Preliminary Rounds so far, five games in all. This was one short of what I'd done during last season although they'd mainly been local revisits. That's the problem when the majority of my 1,217 grounds are at step 5 and above, the only teams that get entered in the FA Cup. They were all far away grounds too and would involve substantial trips, such as my only new ground in the competition this season at Mulbarton. This was most certainly the case in this round with Eastbourne United vs. Epsom & Ewell. I had seen Epsom in a previous round and it had been a poor game. It was also not the most attractive game being two teams from the same step. Throw in the complications of yet another train strike meant that I'd have to go from Amersham and make the best of the limited service on offer.

The tie of the round, at least in my opinion, was step 6 side Okehampton Argyle (the only step 6 side in the competition) against step 5 side Highworth Town. The visitors had been in step 4 last season but were relegated last season. They'd finished third-bottom and were involved in the inter-step playoffs where they lost 4-1 to Malvern Town who had finished second to Cribbs in last season's Hellenic Premier. Certainly, it was a real banana skin in terms of an FA Cup upset. Since I had last seen them in 2015, Highworth had turned from a mid-table Hellenic Premier outfit to a few seasons later being promoted to the Southern League's step 4 divisions where they had spent five seasons. More importantly, they were around a third of the way down to Okehampton meaning that I could save myself money with the £15 coach fare and relax and enjoy the day. The club had been friendly and helpful when I tried to book and I secured my place fairly easily.

I'd taken the rest of the week off after a busy weekend and Bank Holiday. This was mainly due to the lack of options more than anything. In other news, I'd finally managed to book my car in repair via the insurers after someone had smashed into it and driven off without exchanging details. Fellow hopper Colin had suffered at the hands of the degenerate pond life that makes up a chunk of the UK population. Having gone to Wokingham and Embrook, he arrived back at Chalfont and Latimer station to find that his bike had been stolen despite being locked up. The police had been about as helpful in his case as they were in mine, i.e. totally disinterested and an asset to the criminal fraternity. Elsewhere, it was a fairly tolerable week at work and I had a quiet Friday evening and a reasonably early night.

I was quite sleepy when I awoke when my alarm went off at 6.20 the next morning. I didn't have much time to play with but after getting ready, I left at 6.50. A chocolate muffin and some Irn-Bru was an unconventional breakfast. It was a pleasant and quiet journey and I arrived in the town of Highworth around 8.10. It was a small and quiet place but pretty nice. I was given a warm and friendly welcome by Derek at the club and met a few other great people. Whilst I waited in their clubhouse I ordered train tickets for next weeks trip to East Cowes Victoria. Thanks to Colin's disabled railcard, I was able to secure us both a return from London to Southampton for less than £11 each compared to the disgraceful £33.10 we paid on the day last year, even with railcard discount. The coach soon arrived, a few minutes walk away due to the narrow road that Highworth's ground was on. The players boarded, complete with the obligatory case of Budweiser and large Bluetooth speaker that seems to be part of every football team coach. This was the 13th time I'd travelled on such a coach and always found it a decent way to do things. The camaraderie, great value and early arrival for pubs were the best points, the only drawback was the wait after. There was a stop on the way at the Harvester in Taunton for the players, and anyone else that wanted to, to have breakfast. I wasn't peckish myself, so waited until 11 to have a pint of Stowford Press. It quenched my thirst and gave me an excuse to sit somewhere comfortable and use my laptop.

I got chatting to a friendly player who played military football and also knew the former Wycombe midfielder, Dominic Gape. All told, the Highworth people were super friendly and made me feel very welcome. Despite my liking for a giant-killing, I'd be hoping they won today and certainly considering the game as an option on Tuesday, should it go to a replay. We left around 11.40 with just over an hour to go until Okehampton. We arrived at 12.50, with me heading off to town to find the Wetherspoons. It was just six minutes away and was one of the best in the chain. The White Hart Hotel had seven bag-in-box ciders and plenty of space. I opted for a pint of Sandford Orchards Hangy Downs, a new tick for me.  From the table, I ordered Chicken Jalfrezi and chips with a pint of Black Dragon for £10.48. I'd not seen that at the bar and so it would be interesting to see what turned up, if anything at all. They must have had it somewhere as it turned up, lovely and chilled. Ever was as marvellous as you could expect for the price paid and it got a rare 10/10 on my spreadsheet for only the second time in 271 pubs - the greatest being Tiverton with a huge fridge of bottled ciders. The third and final order was a pint of Hunts Wobbler and a warm cookie dough sandwich with ice cream. And there ended my drinking until I got back with the Wobbler especially decent. McColls had closed, obviously not wishing for a New England. Instead, Co Op secured me a 2  litre bottle of Irn Bru Extra. From there to the ground, an excellent value £6.50 with a glossy programme and a nice atmosphere.

 Okehampton Argyle were making their debut in the FA Cup this season. They had started with a 2-2 home draw against Brixham in front of 483 fans. In the replay, 204 saw them secure an extra time 2-0 win away from home. It was then a 1-1 draw at Buckland Athletic in front of 307 supporters. They then won 2-1 in the home replay, both games represented victories over higher-tier clubs. In the league, Okehampton had played one game, losing 4-2 to Teignmouth. Highworth Town had won 4-1 at Brincombe & Thrupp in a game that was rearranged to midweek due to a rain deluge. Even so, 171 fans turned up. In the Preliminary Round, they won 3-0 at Nailsea and Tickenham before being sent on the road once more. Highworth Town's best progress so far in the FA Cup came in 2003. That year, they reached the 3rd Qualifying Round before losing 2-0 at Lymington & New Milton. Highworth Town were doing well in the Hellenic Premier, sitting 7th. So far in the league they had beaten Mangotsfield United 2-1, won 3-1 at Fairford Town and 1-0 against Royal Wooton Bassett Town. They'd also won 4-2 at Sandhurst Town in the FA Vase. A 0-0 draw had been shared at Slimbridge and they'd endured a 3-0 defeat at Corsham.

It was a busy first half, Okehampton on top but with not much threat. Highworth played well on the break. Steve Robertson put them ahead on 43 minutes and despite a rally from Okehampton, it stayed that way until halftime. It was 2-0 just before the hour, a well-taken goal by a Connor Mattimore who followed up a goalkeeper parry. Okehampton were still having chances though, they were not exiting the FA Cup without a fight. However, a free kick from the right, curled in and a header from Matt Cheetham made it 3-0. Okehampton deserved a goal but a solid performance from the Highworth keeper looked set to deny them. Okehampton finally got the goal they deserved in injury time, a shot from around 15 yards blasted into the roof of the net by Luke Mortimer.

It had been a fairly routine win for Highworth but Okehampton battled well and belied their step 6 status. Had the visiting keeper not made a couple of great saves, it may have been a different story. I followed the other Highworth officials where I was bought a drink in the bar. They'd been brilliant company and deserved a good draw in the next round. Unless it was Mousehole provided me with another great opportunity to travel with them of course. A much delayed departure saw us leave at 6.55, a lot of it do do with the fact that the coach was parked a fair while away. Then there was a stop at a local shop which meant we didn't get going until well gone 7. It would mean an arrival around 9.45 back in Highworth which was pretty decent going.

THE GROUND

SIMMONS PARK is a very basic setup, there is just the one covered stand that has been converted to bench seating to comply with regulations. The rest of the ground is open and includes basic bar and food facilities, the latter via a barbecue. Further afield is another bar, the town and a decent amount of parking.