As the new football season approaches, youngsters at Ottery St Mary are taking their first steps into the physical world of the adult game.

In a pre-season game at Starcross Dons, the young Otters grabbed the lead when Jake Haggerty notched from a corner on three minutes, swiftly followed by Jake Wright releasing Oliver Bradley for a second.

Ottery continued to ramp through the gears and Jay Tanner lashed home a screamer from distance for 3-0. The Dons, to their credit, fought back to make it 3-2 before Wright calmly restored the Ottery cushion.

A lovely move starting from Russ Bracey and involving Lewis Ayley and Zac Tilley culminated in a fine goal for Haydon Simpson. Hakan Coulibaly made it six for the Otters and Simpson then added another with a powerful header.

Bradley and Haggerty added further goals, while Starcross scored a consolation for 9-3 and a terrific debut at new level for Ottery.