Ottery St Mary FC boss Dane Bunney has long been bullish about his fledgling team’s form and has been confident, even during some dark days, that they could take on the best in the league, writes Lee Glanville.

And he was proved right in some style on Saturday, when Ottery beat long time league leaders Appledore, away, 1-0.

The win comes on top of an improving wave of form since Christmas when, following a bad-tempered drubbing at Budleigh Salterton, performances have improved week on week.

Bunney said: “It was a really good win, probably the best we have played but, when the dust had settled, we were a bit disappointed we hadn’t won by more as our keeper had very little to do. In the second half I could have stood between the posts.”

Lee Withy scored the goal after just seven minutes and Ottery just kept pressing. Appledore had a player sent off just before the break and, bar a five minute spell on 80 minutes, the second half was all Ottery. Typically, in what has been an up and down season, Ottery have no match on Saturday, but face Exmouth the week after, when Bunney hopes to start the same XI. they will be training on Tuesday nights. Bunney added: “ Those who weren’t available last week will be up against it now. As long as everybody is available I intend to start the same XI as they really clicked together. I have am putting seven days in for another player, a right full back and I would hope that would go through before the Exmouth game.”