Otterton crashed out of the Bill Slee Cup after a 6-2 defeat at Beer Albion Reserves, writes Andy Mitchell.

The Otters made the short trip across East Devon in confident mood after a run of excellent results, but they were blown away by a fine performance from the hosts and also the fact that they finished the game with nine players!

Playing against the wind, the Otters soon found the going tough and went a goal down in the early stages when Ryan Neville brought down a home striker and the resultant penalty was blasted past Mike Simpson in the Otters’ goal. Beer, boosted by the early lift, scored twice more, the third being another penalty conceded by Neville, who also received what was generally considered a ‘harsh’ red card for his ‘sins’.

The Otters looked to hit back and both Lee Mitchell and Kev Pitt had half-chances saved by the home keeper before Beer rounded off the first half with a fourth goal. After the break, the Otters had the wind with them, but they still were unable to work the home goalkeeper.

A few terrible decisions from the referee helped the home side to score two more goals before substitute Dale Roberts reduced the arrears. Otterton were then reduced to 10 men when Ryan Wright collected his second yellow card of the game.

Minutes later, with striker Pitt pulling up injured, and after all the subs had been called into play, it left the injured Pitt taking over in goal with glovesman Simpson pushed into a centre forward role.

Tom Matthew and Jamie Cardwell tried their best to generate some positive play from the Otterton midfield and they did manage to fashion a chance that Simpson stuck away to make it 6-2 at the final whistle.

There’s no time for the Otters to dwell on the disappointment for they have another big cup tie this Saturday (October 13) when they entertain Bideford Community in a Devon Senior Cup tie that kicks off at 2pm. Otterton Reserves lost their home league game against Cowick Barton, going down 3-2. Joe Poulten scored both the Otters’ goals and, on Saturday, the second team travel to face Watts Blake and Bearne in the Intermediate cup.