It was literally a case of all hands to the pumps for Ottery St Mary Development, as they secured a battling 3-0 win at Sandford 2nds to remain top of Division 6 in the Stitch2Print Devon & Exeter League.  

Illness and absences within the squad forced manager Dave Haggerty to dig out the football boots from the back of the cupboard and join his young charges on the field. 

After knocking on the door a couple of times, the Otters snatched a lead on the half-hour, when Jack Wright fired an angled shot across the Sandford ‘keeper and into the far corner. 

Wright then turned provider, feeding a pass for Tom Davey, who turned smartly and slotted past the stranded home custodian. Gaffer Haggerty nearly had a moment to cherish after the break, rising highest from a corner but his header hit the side-netting.  

Russ Bracey maintained the two-goal cushion with a super save and Ottery added some last-minute gloss to a gritty display. Davey slipped a pass into the path of Finn Brown, who struck first-time for a lovely final goal.  

Ottery coach Chris Wright said: “They really did dig deep for the 3 points. Proud is an understatement.”