Ottery St Mary head into Saturday’s derby game at Tipton St John looking for some ‘pay back’ for the opening day defeat they suffered to Tipton at Washbrook Meadow – the visitors winning that early evening meeting 3-1.

The Otters were in great form last Saturday as they became only the third team in two full seasons to win art Exeter-based Royal Oak.

Town pitched up at the Exeter ground to find the grass was almost long enough to cover player’s boots!

That might have had something to do with what was a sluggish opening period for the Otters during which time they fell a goal down.

Manager Dave Fairweather made a change, dropping the experienced Dave Weeks to centre back, and the move had an instant impact with the back line suddenly that little bit more secure.

The Otters began to get a foothold in the game and it came as no surprise when Corey Ringer kept up his impressive scoring record this season – he has score in all but the first league game for the Otters – to level things up, and then a second Ringer, left the Otters 2-1 up at half-time.

The home side restored parity early in the second half, but a fine finish from Adam Harris restored the lead and the advantage was extended when substitute Callum Hutchings netted and not even a late third from the hosts could deny the Otters a fully deserved three points.

Boss Fairweather said: “It was a good all-round show. Corey [Ringer] is now leading the line ever so well. He is holding the ball up and moving it on at a quicker rate than he did last year and his return in goals so far this term underlines his importance to us.”

One problem that did hit the Otters in the game was injuries to a couple of key players.

Fairweather explained saying: “We lost influential skipper Curtis Winchombe to a first half injury and then Adam Harris took a big knock after the break. It shows the strength of the squad that we could overcome the knocks and subsequent changes to get a result at Royal Oak.”

Tomorrow’s derby is the second meeting between the neighbouring sides this season. Tipton won the August match up 3-1 and Fairweather is looking for his team to get their own back. He says: “It is game we want to win, if only to keep our current run going. The win at Royal Oak has given us momentum in terms of our wish to climb the Division Three table and three points at Tipton will further enhance our efforts to get up amongst the leading lights.”

There are injury doubts over skipper Adam Winchombe and Adam Harris – both were unable to train this week after picking up knocks in the win at Royal Oak.

However, on the plus side, Ottery can welcome back Dan Jewell and James Gosney after both players missed the win in Exeter last weekend.