Article and photo by Tom Besford.

Seventh place Ottery St. Mary made the long trip to north Devon to take on an Appledore side just one point and one place above them in what was a close fought battle. Neither team really created too many chances with the game dominated by half chances, with Seb Copp’s header at the beginning of the second half being the only goal to separate the sides.

The hosts started the brighter and could have taken the lead within thirty seconds from kick off as Oscar Jarrett beat Ottery ‘keeper Tom Seymour in a foot race to a loose ball, but his tame effort towards an empty net was cleared off the line by visiting defender Jordan Ford.

The Fishermen created more opportunities than their visitors throughout the match but with the majority of them off target, it meant Seymour wasn’t called into action too often. A cross from Matt Bryce, following a short corner, was headed wide of the target at the far post by Jarrett.

Appledore continued the pressure going forward as they looked for an opener, but Jason McGinley could only watch as he curled an effort from the edge of the box just over the bar before James Harley fired a strike from twenty-five yards out over the top.

The hosts almost had egg on their face midway through the first half as defender Noah Harris almost put the ball into his own net. A wayward back pass to the goalkeeper was heading into the back of the net, but Noah Vaughan in goal saved his blushes as he managed to scurry across his goal and keep the effort from crossing the line. With neither side having created much quality, it felt like it was going to be one of those games determined by a rookie mistake.

The visitors started to push forward a bit more themselves as they looked to try and test the home ‘keeper, and with just under half an hour played, Seb Copp came close to scoring as his shot from the edge of the box was saved well by the feet of Vaughan to keep the game goalless.

With the first half drawing to a close, both sides had one more chance of note to try and forge their way in front as a free kick from distance by Bryce was tipped over the bar by the Otter shot stopper whilst moments later, down the other end, Joe Byre hit an effort straight at Vaughan.

A goalless first half with neither ‘keeper having much to do in a tight game between two evenly matched sides. A goal was needed to spark this game into life!

The second half started quickly, and within less than a minute the visitors had taken the lead with what would turn out to be the only goal of the game. A free kick on the left wing was crossed into the box by Ethan Matthews finding Seb Copp who headed home from close range.

Appledore had to find a way back into the game and they had a golden opportunity just over quarter of an hour after going behind when McGinley got the ball past the visiting defenders but couldn’t test Seymour as he dragged his shot wide of the target. It was a similar chance moments later, this time Jarrett poking the ball wide of the target from inside the box.

As the hosts threw everything at Ottery St. Mary, as they began to get frustrated looking for an equaliser, this left gaps at the back allowing the visitors the odd counter attack. Substitute Luke Matthias managed to get a shot from the edge of the box for the visitors which looped up into the air but it was easily gathered by Vaughan who quickly tried to start another Appledore attack as they knew time was running out.

As the clock ticked down, the visitors held on for the three points as no matter how hard they tried, Appledore just couldn’t manage to get the ball into the back of the net. It was a game which on another day may have yielded a few more goals but unfortunately, neither team packed their shooting boots.

Appledore team: Noah Vaughan, Joseph Stevens, David Mason, Noah Harris, James Harley, Kai Dymond, Philip Kelly, Matt Bryce, Oscar Jarrett, Jason McGinley, Brian Levien

Subs: Morgan Taylor, Joe Kelly, Jamie Bowden, Robin Kearney

Ottery St. Mary team: Tom Seymour, Jake Blackmore, Ferenc Bodor, Jordan Ford, James Gosney, Cholwe Hachipuka, Joe Byre, Jake Williams, Luke Wilson, Ethan Matthews, Seb Copp

Subs: Luke Matthias, Kristian Katunsky, Jamie Green, Noah Lovedale, Noah Al-Sedani