Devon and Exeter League: Ottery win and Beer get draw

The Otters are up to sixth place in the Devon League table after another convincing home display.

They had to recover from an early setback as the visitors from North Devon took an early lead when, after some lacklustre clearances, Tom Seymour was caught off his line with a shot from distance by Joe Kelly.

Ottery then began to cause the Appledore defence some problems with Seb Copp and Lewis Wilson combining well in their first pairing up front.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the break though and on one occasion Seymour was forced to pull off a class save to keep the deficit at one.

The home side did get level just before the break as Ferenc Bodor finished off a Jake Williams cross.

As the Otters began to dominate early in the second half, Bodor got his second goal of the game when he lobbed the goalkeeper from thirty-five metres out.

With Appledore beginning to tire, Ottery really came into their own and it was soon 3-1 as Billy Spurway squared the ball for Lewis Wilson to slot home and cap a ‘man of the match’ performance.

“That was three wins on the bounce and another positive performance,” said Ottery manager Riki Pitter. “Confidence is growing throughout the team and the lads are starting to believe in the process.”

“It’s baby steps towards where we want to be, not only in the league but in the development and progression of our young squad.”

The club have announced that the Player of the Month for November is Jake Williams for his tireless performances.

Beer Albion 3 Elmore 3

Beer lost the lead several times during this game and in the end were forced to settle for a point.

The Fishermen opened strongly and were rightly rewarded as they opened up a two-goal advantage inside the opening twenty minutes.

First Taylor Rooke netted with a powerful strike from the edge of the box and then Aaron Daniels reacted quickly to force the ball home in a goalmouth scramble.

There was an unlucky break for the home side in the twenty-third minute when a free kick was deflected in off a defender and the goal was allowed to stand despite two players being in ‘offside’ positions.

The Tiverton side then cashed in on some poor Beer defending to make it 2-2 at the interval through Connor Heard.

Albion re-established their lead early in the second half when Cody Bowditch swung in a precise free kick and Daniels headed home strongly for his second goal of the game.

On the balance of play it looked as if Beer would increase their lead but more horrendous defending gifted Elmore another goal as Brandon Parsons went through to score.

The Fisherman upped the tempo late in the game but despite some agile saves from the visiting goalkeeper and Billy Knox hitting the post twice they could not fashion a winner.

“The game very disappointingly ended in a draw. Beer played very well at times but individual mistakes are costing us dearly,” Beer manager Mark Rooke told the Herald.

For his two goals and great all-round performance Aaron Daniels was made Man of the Match.

Ottery St. Mary entertain title hopefuls Plymouth Marjon on Saturday (December 7) while Beer travel to play North Devon League Fremington in the Devon Premier Cup. Budleigh Salterton, whose game was called off last weekend, host North Molton Sports.

The Beer game starts at 2.00pm. while the other two matches begin at 2.15pm.