OTTERY St Mary FC are sending out a plea for players in advance of their next Peninsula League match on September 5.

OTTERY St Mary FC are sending out a plea for players in advance of their next Peninsula League match on September 5.

Manager Mark Watkins said: "We are so close to being a good side, but just need strength in depth. If there are players out there who are fed up of sitting matches out on the bench or are playing for lower league club's but feel they are capable of better, we would be delighted to hear from them.

"We have the basics of a good side, but are just a bit short on numbers. For example, we played really well against Alphington midweek but, while they had five players on the bench, ready to come on, we were struggling.

"In the event, they scored three goals while we were down to 10 men. It had been 1-0 at half time with us matching them in an even first half.

"But we had what we thought was a free kick not given and the Alphas nipped down the other end and scored, and added two more while we were one man down. We regrouped and, despite being 4-0 down, got it back together and Callum Summers scored. John Vaughan, who has been playing in the Perry Street League, was a bit shell-shocked against the Marines earlier in the season, but played really well on Wednesday. Karl Wilson was superb.

"Anyone who wants to get involved should ring me on 07971 384171. It is a good club set up at Washbrook Meadow and, as I said, we really aren't that far away from being a really good side."

Ottery have had a tough start to the season and lost 8-1 to the Royal Marines first off, before putting in a much improved effort against Exeter Civil Service, losing 4-1.