Otters guilty of ‘dire’ defending as another heavy defeat is suffered

Dire first-half defending saw Ottery St Mary Reserves suffer a second heavy home defeat in the space of a week on Saturday.

A sloppy and uncommitted rearguard performance saw the Washbrook Meadows side gift three points – and seven goals - to Tedburn St Mary 2nds – despite commanding possession.

The stunned Otters came in at the break 6-1 down with forward Dan Gill’s fourth goal in as many games a rare highlight in the first 45 minutes.

Centre midfielder Connor Lovering rattled the bar with a long-range strike as the home side looked to get back into the game.

But where Ottery went close or failed to find a killer finish, pass or cross, Tedburn found the back of the net to increase the deficit!

The home side rallied in the second period, dominating possession and chances with some good passing football, but failed to convert a string of opportunities.

And when some of the many of efforts on goal found themselves on target, Teburn’s keeper proved unbeatable.

This was highlighted when midfielder Hugh Cort’s sweet left foot volley form outside the box was clawed out of the top corner.

The Otters’ miserable afternoon was summed up when Tedburn bagged a seventh goal against the run of play.

Ottery 2nds, who sit fifth in Division 8, travel to Bickleigh tomorrow (Saturday).