Tag: ottery st mary

ottery st mary at Appledore devon football league 2025

Copp’s decider sees Otters climb above hosts Appledore

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

devon football league winners 2023/24 university of exeter fc

Match Report: University of Exeter 8 – 0 Ottery St Mary

Match report and photos ©Tom Besford

A bumper crowd was in attendance on Saturday to watch as University of Exeter were presented with the league trophy after winning the title during the week. Ottery St Mary were the opponents at the Exwick Sports Hub looking to spoil the party but in the end the hosts ran out convincing winners to show everyone why they were deserving champions.

The game was barely five minutes old when University took the lead, attacking down the right wing a low ball was played across the penalty area by the impressive Sam Wade finding Luke Steer at the far post who tapped in from close range. The goal was Steers thirty seventh of the season as he leads the way in the golden boot standings by quite a distance.

Straight down the other end from the restart and Ottery St Mary had a chance of their own, Makan Coulibaly could only fire his shot directly at home keeper Dan McGreevy who managed to save well with the ball going out for a corner.

University were on the front foot for the majority of the game and it wasn’t long until they were creating more chances. Midway through the first half Steer fired a shot against the post before putting the following chance a moment later just wide of the goal from inside the box. Whilst University were wasting chances down one end of the pitch, Ottery were trying their best to get back level down the other end and almost scored a goal of the season contender but could only watch as a thirty five yard effort from Marius Pislaru was well saved by the home keeper.

With half an hour played the hosts missed a glorious chance as a shot from Liam Morritt was blocked with the ball falling kindly for Callum Chalmers who fired over the bar from inside the six-yard box with a chance which looked easier to score. The club wouldn’t have to wait long for the second goal, just a couple of minutes had passed when Jacob Lund saw his shot blocked with the ball coming back to him to finish into the bottom corner to double the lead.

The hosts were in control and had numerous chances to add to the score. Sam Wade saw his shot-cum-cross tipped over the bar whilst Chalmers found himself one on one, rounding the keeper but unfortunately slipping over before he could put the ball into the unguarded net. With six minutes remaining of the first half Steer managed to beat a few players before firing into the top corner to add a third before Joe Alman ended the half by hitting a shot against the crossbar.

luke steel university of exeter fc
University of Exeter club captain Luke Steel receiving the A&S Interiors Devon Football League trophy from league official Mark Isaacs

The second half began in the same manner as the first half ended, University retaining the majority of possession and coming close on numerous occasions. Xari De Pedro hit an early free kick from the edge of the box into the side netting as University threatened once more but it would only be a few minutes until the fourth goal was added. Jacob Lund sent a shot from outside the box off the post and in via a helpful hand from the Ottery goalkeeper Jack Pepperall.

Pepperall was in action again shortly after, this time pulling off a fantastic save to prevent Sam Wade’s curling effort as University continued to put the pressure on the Ottery goal in search of adding to their tally.

On the seventy fifth minute of the match University added to their dominance by scoring twice in two minutes. First Wade cleverly beat the defender on the left wing as he cut into the box and played a short pass to Seb Lawson who converted from close range. Moments later and Tommy Hutchinson converted a Xari De Pedro corner through the legs of the visiting keeper to make it 6-0.

With ten minutes to go the away side were given a lifeline as they managed to get the ball in the back of the net, a quick counter attack led to Seb Copp being released one on one with McGreevy and a calm finish saw Copp slot the ball past the keeper and into the net. Any celebrations were quickly halted though as the offside flag was raised to add to a miserable afternoon for the Otters.

Two goals in the space of about thirty seconds in the final minute of the game saw University complete a comfortable victory in style. Steer rounded Pepperall and finished into an empty net to add another goal to his tally before James Wakefield completed the scoring as he found the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

A confident and comfortable victory for the hosts who demonstrated why they have won the league so comfortably this season as they took their goal difference to +100. Captain Luke Steer lifted the trophy after the game and the celebrations would have continued long into the night.

University of Exeter team: Dan McGreevy, Liam Morritt, Hamish Cushing, Jacob Lund, Joe Alman, James Wakefield, Sam Wade, Tom Jordan, Callum Chalmers, Xari De Pedro, Luke Steer

Subs: Seb Lawson, Ben Roberos, Dan Garrow, Josh Bailey, Tommy Hutchinson

Ottery St Mary team: Jack Pepperall, James Blain, Sam Gleeson, Riki Pitter, Charlie Norris, Jake Blackmore, Marius Pislaru, Jamie Pitter, Seb Copp, Jack Kissane, Makan Coulibaly

Subs: Ferenc Bodor, Adrian Parr