Consistency has been the consistent problem for Ottery St Mary in the Devon Football League this season but the dramatic 4-3 victory at Plymouth Marjon on Saturday was definitely up there with the best moments so far.
The Otters travelled to the 3G at Marjon University to face a side knocking on the door of the top five in an incredibly tight DFL, and a 6-0 demolition of Elmore the previous weekend was an indication of the attacking prowess in the Plymouth side.
Ottery, meanwhile, were licking their wounds from a frustrating 3-1 loss at Thorverton, but this was a performance full of character.
Twice, Ottery had to come from behind, and even played a portion of the game with ten men, but goals from Ferenc Bodor and Marius Pislaru gave them a foothold at half-time. It was then down to a thrilling double from Jack Hobday, the winner arriving in stoppage time, to secure the maximum points.
Ottery’s triumph was recognised with the Team of the Week award in the DFL, and the next challenge is to string together a positive run of results to climb into the top half of the table.
As it stands, Ottery are in 11th place on 21 points, but that is just six points behind the leaders, University of Exeter. Next on the menu is a tricky trip to Appledore at the beginning of December.
The North Devon club are currently second in the standings, one point ahead of Lakeside Athletic and North Molton SC. Beer Albion are lurking ominously in fifth and the top ten is completed by Mount Gould, Marjon, Thorverton, Newtown and Elmore. Feniton are the side rooted to the bottom, with just one point from their opening 12 fixtures.
Earlier this month, the Ottery family joined together in congratulations for women’s team star Gemma Aspinall, who was invited to the Devon Football Family Awards to receive her DCFA Representative Cap.
In Division 1 of the Devon & Exeter League, Ottery St Mary 2nds are currently in mid-table after picking up three wins from their opening seven fixtures. Tom Taylor scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Newton St Cyres last weekend and Lympstone are the visitors on Saturday.
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