Topsham Town’s Coronation Field was the venue on a boiling hot sunny afternoon as both University of Exeter and Alphington attempted to complete a trophy double this season with the Alphas having already won the league and the Students having won the Devon Premier Cup.

A late influx of supporters arriving just before kick off meant that the opening ten minutes were missed by a large section of the crowd, however, not much was missed as the game started in typical cup final fashion with a cagey start as neither team wanted to make a mistake.

The first half had few chances as Alphington started the stronger side but couldn’t test the University keeper Ben Roberts in the opening exchanges. The best chance the Alphas had came when a ball was dragged back to Tre Davey who put his effort wide of the target with a deflection of the Uni defence. Moments later and Ryan Moody fired over a similar effort as a ball was passed back to him from inside the area.

The Students slowly started to get back into the game and they managed to open the scoring on the half an hour mark with a clever finish from close range. Luke McIver managed to keep the ball in play when most had thought it had gone out for a goal kick with his lunging cross finding Sam Shearer who cleverly managed to flick the ball past Leon Woodhead in the Alphington goal.

With the first half drawing to a close Alphington had one final chance to draw level when Ryan White tried his luck from distance but his effort flew over the bar.

As the second half began the Students caught the Alphington defence napping and almost scored a second taking the game out of reach as Bertie Whymark shot from the edge of the box but his effort was tame and dribbled wide of the target.

With the second period just over five minutes old the Devon League Champions found themselves level as Tre Davey’s weak shot rolled towards goal and was flicked past Roberts by Ryan Moody from close range.

Alphington took control of the game as the second half progressed and put the pressure on the University defence and Tre Davey had a glorious chance as the ball fell to him on the volley but he failed to keep the effort down as the ball flew over the bar and out the ground.

With moments left on the clock Alphington were desperately looking for a winner as the ball was crossed into the box on numerous occasions but the majority of crosses were cleared by the Uni defence. One chance did fall Alphington’s way though as Ben Turner headed a cross over the bar.

The referee blew his whistle to end the match and the game would have to be decided by the dreaded penalty shoot out.

Jake Haggerty had his penalty saved and Matt Steer scored to give Uni the advantage. Harry Warren and Sam Shearer both saw their efforts saved before Ben Turner scored to level the scores. Ollie Kavanagh and Tre Davey both scored theirs before Michael Massey and Harry Walford converted. This mean that Ben Harris only had to score to win the game for the University and he fired his effort into the bottom corner.

Congratulations to University of Exeter who are the VX3 League Cup champions as another season comes to an end. We would like to wish everyone an enjoyable and restful summer and we look forward to the start of another season in August.

University of Exeter team: Ben Roberts, Tim Barber, Bertie Whymark, Ben Harris, Ollie Kavanagh, Adam Jones, Joe Zamir, Michael Massey, Sam Shearer, Sami Ahmadi, Luke McIver

Subs: Harry Dunlop, Charlie Hewlett, Matt Steer

Alphington team: Leon Woodhead, Charlie Dack, Jake Haggerty, Jordan Casey, Dylan Isaac, Alex Bond, Harry Walford, Henry Woodward, Ryan White, Tre Davey, Ryan Moody

Subs: Sanocy Camara, Rio Potter, Ben Turner, Harry Warren, Harry Wellaway

We are pleased to announce the 2026/2027 constitution for the Devon Football League as we say goodbye to two clubs and give a warm Devon League welcome to two new sides.

Firstly, starting with the teams leaving we wish good luck to the University of Exeter who have been promoted to the South West Peninsula League Premier Division East and will compete at step six in the non-league pyramid for the first time in their history. Founding member of the league, the club won the North & East Division title in the 2021/2022 season and following the merger of the two divisions won the new league title in 2023/2024 & 2024/2025. It is not just success in the league the club have enjoyed as they also lifted the League Cup in 2021 & 2022 and lifted the Devon Premier Cup just a few weeks ago. The Uni have one more game to play before promotion as they take on Alphington in the VX3 League Cup final on Saturday 23rd May.

Another team who have decided to leave the league are Beer Albion who have applied for voluntary relegation back to the Devon & Exeter Football League, we wish the club all the best going forward and hopefully we will see them back in our league in the future. Beer joined the league prior to the 2022/2023 season and made an instant impact as they won the North & East Division title at the first attempt and also lifted the League Cup in their first season in the league. The Fishermen reclaimed the League Cup the following season and also won the Devon Premier Cup in 2024. Beer Albion also filmed a YouTube documentary called Beyond The Albion which gave a great insight into behind the scenes at a step seven football club and documented their title success.

With every goodbye we have a welcome to make as well as two new sides will be joining us for the 2026/2027 season as Winkleigh and Brixham AFC Development join the league. Winkleigh finished second in the Devon & Exeter Football League Premier Division, four points behind eventual champions Upottery, and won 14 of their 24 league games in the 2025/2026 season. This will be the first time at step seven for Winkleigh and we look forward to seeing them in action once the league restarts in August. As for Brixham AFC Development, they are a newly formed side who applied to join us at step seven and could only be accepted following promotion and relegation if there was any space remaining in the league. We had space and so we look forward to welcoming the Fishermen to the Devon Football League. Brixham will play at Wall Park, a ground which hosted Southern League Football last season and so will be a welcome addition to our league. We wish both new sides all the best for the season ahead.

We look forward to the VX3 League Cup final between University of Exeter & Alphington being played at Topsham Town on Saturday the 23rd May to conclude the 2025/2026 season and then we look forward to a well earnt break before we go again in August.

The 2026/2027 constitution: Alphington, Appledore, Bere Alston United, Boca Seniors, Brixham AFC Development, Budleigh Salterton, Dartmouth, Elmore, Fremington, Ipplepen Athletic, Newtown, Ottery St Mary, Plymouth Marjon, Plymstock United, Thorverton, Topsham Town, Winkleigh

An early bank holiday Monday in May saw a large crowd come out on a sunny morning to witness a goal fest with a very unique footballing situation. Both teams ended the match with an outfield player in goal due to injuries to both goalkeepers, we wish them both well and hope they have a speedy recovery.

The hosts came out of the blocks the quickest and came close within just a couple of minutes as a cross from the right was headed over the bar by Lloyd White. Minutes later and White was once again causing issues for the Ipplepen defence as a good bit of play on the edge of the box ended with White curling an effort just wide of the target.

Ipplepen were slow getting into the game but they came close with twenty minutes on the clock as Lee Fenner sent an effort towards goal from the edge of the box which was well saved by Elmore keeper Henry Russell with the ball falling to Jake Elms whose effort hit the far post.

The deadlock was broken with just under half an hour played as Robbie Terry bought down Freddie Ansley inside the area for a penalty. Up stepped Sam Jones who calmly finished into the bottom left corner.

On the stroke of half time things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Robbie Terry went down injured and it would be the end of his match as he came off injured being replaced between the sticks by veteran outfield player Nick Edmunds.

The Pens came out in the second half stronger as they looked for an equaliser and they were rewarded for their efforts as they were given the chance to level from a spot kick of their own. In almost a carbon copy of the opening penalty, Riley Price broke into the box and was bought down by home keeper Russell leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot. This was the end of the match for Henry Russell who left the pitch injured meaning an outfield player had to go in goal. Lee Fenner stood up to take the penalty and finished into the bottom right corner.

Midway through the second half the visitors had a complete collapse over a spell of eight minutes when they conceded four goals putting the game out of sight. Elmore took the lead as Lloyd White beat the offside trap and curled his effort past the step in goalkeeper. Taylor Stansfield made it 3-1 with a far post tap in following a ball from the right and it was soon 4-1 as Cody Stansfield found himself through on goal before slotting past Edmunds.

The fifth goal of the crazy spell came with just over quarter of an hour left on the clock as Whites shot was saved by Edmunds with the rebound falling to Taylor Stansfield to finished from close range.

In the second minute of injury time a ball from the left fell to Taylor Stansfield who completed his hat-trick of close range efforts and completed the scoring for the afternoon.

A disappointing end to the season for Ipplepen and a bank holiday to remember for the hosts but ultimately we would like to wish both keepers a speedy recovery.

Elmore team: Henry Russell, Lucas White, Mike Humpfreys, Connor Heard, Jacob Brooks, Sam Jones, Dan Cole, Lloyd White, Cody Stansfield, Freddie Ansley, Brandon Parsons

Subs: Charlie O’Loughlin, Will Findlay, Nat Bishop, Taylor Stansfield, Tom Bedingham

Ipplepen Athletic team: Robbie Terry, Brandon Hughes, Ashton Ballard, Josh Hurren, Lee Fenner, Jake Elms, Elliot Simson, Kai Swann, Beck Hannah, Ray Crooks-Lawal, Nick Edmunds

Subs: Matt Micklewright, Louis Coles, Riley Price, Zak Carnell, Owen Higgins

A gloomy Saturday afternoon in Plymouth saw bottom of the table side Plymstock United welcome Budleigh Salterton to Dean Cross in what turned out to be an entertaining game as the hosts lifted themselves from bottom of the table.

The match was barely a minute old and the hosts had a glorious chance to open the scoring as Joe Jasper beat the Budleigh goalkeeper to the ball, knocking it past him with an open goal to aim at but Jasper could only poke the ball wide of the target.

Plymstock started strongly and dominated the opening proceedings and they came close again moments later as Lewis Dickson shot through a crowded penalty area with his shot deflecting wide of the goal.

The side bottom of the table were on top but they knew it would mean nothing unless they could take one of their chances but much to their frustration the chances came and went without the ball ending in the back of the net.

James Sharkey in goal for Budleigh had to be alert as he pushed an effort from Mark Loudon onto the bar and then moments later Joe Jasper put an effort just wide following a great delivery from Brandon Jefferies.

Football is all about taking your chances and for Plymstock it looked like all the missed chances would come back to haunt them as Budleigh slowly started to get back into the game. With just ten minutes remaining in the first half the visitors were given a penalty as Charlie Goldsworthy fouled Shaun Joash. Callum Monks stepped up to take the penalty but as he fired his effort straight down the middle he could only watch as Kori Truscott saved well with his feet holding onto the ball to prevent any follow up effort.

As the half came to an end, both teams had chances in a match which could go either way with it looking like a game which would be remembered for the missed opportunities.

Just like in the first half, Plymstock had a golden opportunity to open the scoring within the first minute and the hosts once again took control of the match for the opening period of the half. Loudon hit a shot from distance which looked like it was going in until it whacked the post and away.

The majority of the second half saw the two teams cancelling each other out with clear chances being few and far between.

The visitors had their best chance of the half when a long shot from Harry Gibbings deflected and wrong footed the home custodian but Truscott saved well with his feet to keep the game goalless.

As it looked like the match was going to end in a stalemate it took a moment of magic with five minutes to go to secure all three points. A long ball forward was flicked on by a defender finding Matt Goodwin who volleyed over the visiting keeper and into the back of the net to the delight of his team mates and club secretary Dave Baskwill who went running down the side of the pitch in delight.

The Stockies climb off the bottom of the table but they know their work isn’t done yet as they travel to the new bottom of the table side Newtown next week. For Budleigh they fall to their third defeat in a row and will be looking to return to winning ways in midweek.  

Plymstock United team: Kori Truscott, Charlie West, Charlie Goldsworthy, George BirkBeck, Brandon Jefferies, Clark Drew, Mark Loudon, Sam Short, Lewis Dickson, Elliot Prangnell, Joe Jasper

Subs: Joe Eke, Jordan Hogan, Matt Goodwin, Spencer Guest, James Yates

Budleigh Salterton team: James Sharkey, Finley King, Shaun Joash, Callum Monks, Harrison King, Timothy Bradshaw, Harry Gibbings, Charlie Skinner, Kyle Bassett, Jordan O’Shaughnessy, Rohullah Mohammadi

Subs: Nathaniel Hawkins, Simon Withers

Devon FA in Newton Abbot was the venue for this season’s first Devon Premier Cup Semi-Final as a small crowd turned out on a Thursday night to watch Appledore take on the students from University of Exeter.

The match was very cagey, typical for a cup semi-final, as both teams cancelled each other out for the majority of the game. With chances few and far between there wasn’t much to write home about.

University came close to opening the scoring midway through the first half as a long ball was flicked narrowly wide of the target by Ben Harris.

The game desperately needed a goal to bring it to life, and this came just before the half an hour mark as the North Devon side opened the scoring with a goal of top quality. Jamie Bowden was 20 yards out when he produced a half volley sending the ball over the Students goalkeeper Ben Roberts and into the top corner.

The lead didn’t last long as the University found an equaliser as a ball into the box from the left found Ben Harris who sent a looping header over the keeper and into the back of the net. Just like buses, you wait so long for a goal and then two come at once!

In the second half the game was still very cagey but the Students lifted their performance and had more chances of note as they looked for a way to win the game. With the half just under ten minutes old, Matt Steer had a shot from the edge of the box which was deflected and gathered by Aston Keen.

University of Exeter weren’t afraid to shoot from distance as they were struggling to break down the Appledore back line and Sami Ahmadi came close as he fired a 25 yard effort off the crossbar. This was followed moments later by an effort from Matt Steer who was slightly further out and this time his effort flew into the bottom corner to put the Students in front for the first time.

Appledore knew they had to go for it if they wanted to progress to the final and this left gaps for University to exploit as Steer fired an effort towards goal from the edge of the box but Keen was down well to save.

University of Exeter managed to hang on for a place in the final with a semi-final win which won’t last long in the memory. Alphington and Plymouth Marjon go head to head on Tuesday evening in the second semi-final.

Appledore team: Aston Keen, Joseph Stevens, David Mason, Aaron Souster, Joseph Blanch, Kai Dymond, Joe Kelly, Jason M’Ginley, Jamie Bowden, James Harley, Morgan Taylor

Subs: Logan Warren, Adrian Ashton, Rafe Barnes, Kieran Jewell

University of Exeter team: Ben Roberts, Tim Barber, Joe Zamir, Ben Harris, Ollie Kavanagh, Adam Jones, Sami Ahmadi, Matt Steer, Sam Shearer, Michael Massey, Luke McIver

Subs: Alex Makris, Bertie Whymark, Harry Dunlop, Cohen Lee, Charlie Hewlett

Budleigh Salterton welcomed Thorverton for a rare Wednesday night game in the Devon Football League as clubs start to catch up on fixtures from all the wet weather at the beginning of the year. A good sized crowd turned up on a cold Wednesday evening and the question on the mind of most was would we see a full football match? With the thick fog making visibility difficult, it wouldn’t need to get much worse for the game to come to a halt.

The hosts were fastest out of the starting blocks and came close after just a couple of minutes when Evan Slater shot narrowly wide of the target. This is a chance missed that would come back to haunt the hosts as before long they found themselves with a mountain to climb.

Just moments later, Thorverton had taken the lead after an attacking run down the left by Rocco MacPherson resulted with the ball across goal being tapped in at the far post by Oliver Back to the delight of the travelling faithful and one soon became two just minutes later as the visitors were given a penalty. Sam Stewart calmly took the penalty firing into the bottom left hand corner.

Suddenly the hosts had their work cut out as they tried to find a way back into the match but they lacked quality within their final pass. As they continued to look forward they left gaps at the back and this gave the visitors a chance to extend their lead but Reece Stevens fired a long range effort just wide of the target.

Thorverton took the two goal lead into the break and the atmosphere inside both changing rooms would’ve been contrasting with the away changing rooms delighted with their first half whilst the hosts knew they would have to work hard to get anything from the match.

The second half begun just like the first half ended with the visitors making the most of the gaps at the back and they almost found a third as a long diagonal ball by Stevens found Beckham Pyatt who hit a first time volley just wide of the target. A moment which would have been a goal to remember in any game had it found the back of the net.

As the second half reached the midway point Budleigh were given a lifeline when the referee pointed to the spot following a handball by the Thorverton defender. Callum Monks stepped up to the spot and fired the effort straight down the middle and into the back of the net. Was this the start to a comeback by the Robins?

Just moments after conceding, Thorverton had the ball in the back of the net once again, however, this time the flag was in the air to prevent the goal from standing. As the ball took a deflection it fell into the path of Jacob Dack who finished calmly into the back of the net but he quickly spotted the offside flag disallowing his goal.

Desperately looking for an equaliser, the end of the game became one way traffic with Thorverton defending in numbers and they managed to cope with the majority of what was thrown their way. Shaun Josh had a great chance to level the score but his shot was well saved by the visiting shot stopper Toby Fletcher who flicked the effort over the bar.

Thorverton managed to hang on for all three points and the fog didn’t get any worse meaning we managed to get a whole game of football. Both sides now have a busy end of season schedule, like most clubs, due to all the weather early in the year as there are plenty more midweek fixtures over the coming weeks.

Budleigh Salterton team: James Sharkey, Kyle Peters, Miles Barron, Callum Monks, Harrison King, Finley King, Harry Gibbings, Charlie Skinner, Kyle Bassett, Evan Slater, Adam Watts

Subs: Jake Chudley, Jordan O’Shaugnessy, Timothy Bradshaw, Nathan Bochenski, Shaun Josh

Thorverton team: Toby Fletcher, Oliver Back, Reece Stevens, Ben Stevens, Joe Radford, Oliver Saunders, Beckham Pyatt, Sam Stewart, Will Burwood, Rocco MacPherson, Jamal Bokhammas

Subs: Max Oliver, Callan Stone, Alireza Nabizadeh, Paddy O’Loughlan, Jacob Dack

After weeks of floods and postponements due to the weather, Newtown played their first match in over a month as they welcomed Bere Alston United to Newton St Cyres in the constant drizzle. The pitch looked great considering all the rain although it soon started to cut up once the game had begun.

The hosts started the game the stronger side and had an early chance to take the lead after some quality football ended with the ball finding the feet of Rio Turl who lobbed the visiting keeper Ryelee Deignan but Turl could only watch as his effort went over the bar. Turl came close again midway through the first half as some great footwork on the edge of the box ended with a shot over the bar.

The game really began to open up with both teams having plenty of attacking play but the chances in front of the goal were limited. With the game flowing from end to end, both teams just lacked that final bit of quality.

As the first half ticked over the half an hour mark the deadlock was finally broken as the visitors took the lead. Following a foul on the edge of the box the referee played advantage with the ball finding Gino Garside who managed to stay on his feet following another tackle before firing past home keeper Frankie Follett.

As the first half drew to a close both teams had their chances but as the pitch was starting to get heavier the final bit of quality was lacking. As the whistle blew for half time, this gave both sides the chance to regroup and look at what to change on the pitch.

Whatever was said in the away changing room seemed to have it’s desired effect as the visitors came out strong in the second half and almost doubled their lead early on when Soul Pengelly ran towards goal from his own half dodging tackles but could only watch as his effort at the end was saved well by the Newtown stopper.

Follett, in goal for Newtown, had his work cut out in the second half as Bere Alston came out firing. As the match reached the hour mark the visitors came close again when a brilliant ball over the top found Vincent Wright-Harper Innis but he would’ve been disappointed as his shot was straight at the home custodian.

The lead was doubled moments later from a Bere Alston corner as a low delivery into the box was heading straight towards a defender at the near post but the ball went through his legs and to the feet of Tyler Copp who flicked in from close range.

Controversy followed before the game could restart following the goal as Bere Alston forward Vincent Wright-Harper Innis received his marching orders. After picking up a yellow card for diving minutes earlier, Innis was shown his second yellow card for dissent towards the referee and then was arguing with supporters refusing to leave the pitch resulting in teammates having to encourage him to head to the changing rooms.

Two goals up and a man light, many sides would’ve changed their style of play to ensure they saw out the fixture but Bere Alston had other ideas and added a third minutes later to almost certainly ensure the points would be heading back home. As Newtown had thrown players forward the visitors caught them on the counter attack and Pengelly was released through on goal before calmly slotting the ball under Follett and into the back of the net.

With twenty minutes of the match remaining, Newtown desperately looked for a way back into the game as they peppered the visitors goal but lacked the final quality as they looked for a goal. The hosts had a golden chance when Rio Turl got on the end of a long ball from keeper Follett but as he rounded the visiting keeper he could only fire over the bar with the whole goal to aim for.  

The visitors hung on for a clean sheet and returned home with all three points, as for Newtown they continue the search for their first points in 2026.

Newtown team: Frankie Follett, James Blain, Zach Tait, Ryan Finnimore, Ollie Evans, Alfie Murray, Rio Turl, Dan Gill, Ben Howard, Levi Burt, Cody Cox

Subs: Jake Ranger, John Smith, Lewis Piper

Bere Alston United team: Ryelee Deignan, Josh Monk, Bailee Deignan, Ben Clark, Tyler Copp, Charlie Phipps, Gino Garside, Harry Eaton, Vincent Wright-Harper Innis, Callum Mitchell, Soul Pengelly

Subs: Owen Jones, Darren Phillips, Ryan Moorhead, William Westlake

With most of the football in Devon wiped out due to the constant January rain, local supporters had to visit one of the counties few astro turf facilities to witness any action as University of Exeter took on a Bere Alston side ten places below them in the table in one of only two Devon League games to survive.

Bere Alston started the game the stronger side and had the best of the opening chances but their best chance came just after fifteen minutes when Alex Lowe sent a curling effort towards the top corner from the edge of the box but could only watch as the University shot stopper, Ben Roberts pulled off a superb save to deny the visitors the lead. From the resulting corner the ball fell to the feet of Ben Clark who fired over the bar from inside the box.

After having the best of the opening chances with the hosts yet to trouble the visiting keeper, the hosts were gifted an opportunity to take the lead as Harry Eaton fouled the Uni striker in the box and after a brief chat with his linesman, the referee pointed to the spot. Sam Shearer found the bottom corner from the spot albeit the best efforts from Bere keeper Ryelee Deignan who managed to get a hand on the effort.

After taking the lead this seemed to spur the University side into action and less than sixty seconds from the restart they almost doubled the lead. Bertie Whymark had the ball at his feet on the edge of the box but his curling effort went just wide of the far post.

The first half was slow starting but the second half sprung into life instantly as Uni almost scored straight from the off. Luke McIver got the ball on the edge of the box and sent a low strike narrowly wide of the far post.

Straight down the other end and the visitors reacted to almost conceding a second as they went on the attack and were awarded a penalty for handball. Ryan Moorhead sent the keeper the wrong way and with less than three minutes of the second half played, the game was level once again.

The early equalising goal seemed to spark some life into the game and both team had chances to take the lead but the students quality soon showed through and they were once again in the lead. Deignan pulled off a save from a Uni shot as he palmed the ball straight into the path of Samy Ahmadi who finished from close range. Moments later and the lead was extended as a corner fell to Harry Dunlop who fired into the back of the net from close range.

Bere Alston had their work cut out to get back into the game and to their credit they never gave up as they continued to look to get back into the game. With less than ten minutes remaining the final goal was scored as the hosts extended their lead further with Sam Shearer scoring his second of the game as he flicked the ball over the visiting keeper from close range.

With the three points University climbed to third in the league due to the majority of the games being postponed. Hopefully the weather starts to improve and we will see a return to action for most teams in the coming weeks.

University of Exeter team: Ben Roberts, Cohen Lee, Joe Zamir, Charlie Hewlett, Seb Limon, Adam Jones, Samy Ahmadi, Ollie Kavanagh, Sam Shearer, Luke McIver, Bertie Whymark

Subs: Lucas Coveney, James Batchlor, Harry Dunlop, Alex Makris, Jack Knowles

Bere Alston United team: Ryelee Deignan, Ryan Moorhead, Bailee Deignan, Ben Clark, Kieran Bond, Charlie Phipps, Alex Lowe, Harry Eaton, Robert Court, Sean Thomson, Vincent Wright-Harper Innis

Subs: Callum Mitchell, Darren Phillips, Owen Jones, Connor Johnson

Any clubs from one of our feeder leagues who want to apply to join the A&S Interiors Devon Football League for the 2025/2026 season are running out of time to apply.

Any club who wants to apply should contact the league secretary Dave Loder at secretarydevonfootballleague@gmail.com

Closing date for clubs to apply to join the league is December 31st 2025, no applications after this date will be accepted.

A real game of two half on a wet and horrible August afternoon as Ottery St Mary came from three goals down at the break to rescue a valuable point against last season’s runners up.

A small crowd braved the elements on a wet and miserable day to witness an entertaining six goal thriller and they didn’t have to wait for long after kick off for the first real chance of the game. Ryan Moody was clear through on goal for the visitors but a great save by Ottery shot stopper Owen Vosper prevented him with the ball finding team mate Jack Carpenter who fired over the bar.

Alphington looked like the team most likely to break the deadlock and they managed to find the back of the net on the quarter of an hour as a corner was whipped into the box and after some poor defending the ball fell to Dylan Isaac who managed to head home at the far post as Vosper flapped a hand at it but was unable to keep it out. The lead was soon doubled shortly after as the Alphas started to get into the game more and Tre Davey managed to finish into the far corner from inside the box.

Ottery couldn’t really test the visiting keeper in the opening half and it looked like the game was over before half time as the Alphas added a third before the break. Jake Haggerty impressively put a free kick from the half way line over the head of the home keeper and into the back of the net. Haggerty made the goal look effortless as he put his side into a commanding lead.

Ottery had shouts for a penalty waived away at the end of the first half but they had their work cut out if they wanted something from the match in the second half.

The hosts had the perfect start to the second half and it was less than five minutes before they found a way back into the match as Sam Pyne had time to take a touch in the box and finish past Leon Woodhead in the visiting goal.

It was a story of missed chances for Alphington as they wasted a hatful of chances with Owen Vosper pulling off some great saves but no chances came bigger than what they got gifted midway through the half. Vosper went to clear the ball down the pitch but ended up kicking the ball against Ryan Moody but both players could only watch as the ball went goal bound, hitting the post and staying out of the net. Vosper managed to recover to retrieve the ball and breathe a sigh of relief.

Substitute Evan Murry added some quality to his teams attack as he came off the bench and he went close from the edge of the box firing just over the bar. The visitors would come to regret these missed chances though as the hosts found another gear late on to rescue a point.

With five minutes remaining substitute Jamie Pitter curled a shot into the back of the net from the edge of the box to give the Otters some belief before being involved in the equaliser just minutes later. With two minutes remaining of normal time Pitter sent a corner into the box which Moody headed into his own net to level the scores.

A real game of two halves with the sides sharing the points as the referee blew the final whistle and the crowd dispersed. A real non-league classic with the hardy set of supporters treated to six goals.

Ottery St Mary team: Owen Vosper, Charles Norris, Aidan Shires, Jake Blackmore, Kai Champion, Jack Carpenter, Ethan Matthews, Connor Swingler, Sam Pyne, Harrison Bowyer, Mario Pislaru

Subs: Harry Carr, Henry Favre, Lewis Wilson, Luke Matthias, Jamie Pitter

Alphington team: Leon Woodhead, Jeff Angila, Jake Haggerty, Jordan Ford, Dylan Isaac, Alex Bond, George Bosworth, Joel Greenslade, Henry Woodward, Tre Davey, Ryan Moody

Subs: Evan Murry, Ben Annunziata, Charlie Gillard, Dre Johnson, Harry Wellaway