Ottery St Mary could not have been given a tougher game with which to start their 2017 fixtures for they visit Thorverton on Saturday (January 7).

The Thors sit top of the Macron League Division Four table having won all 11 of the matches they have played since opening their campaign back in late August.

The Otters hosted the Mid Devon side back on October 29 when the Thors edged the contest 2-1.

Ottery boss Dave Fairweather says: “They [Thorverton] are a good side, but when we played them at our place we were left feeling terribly frustrated as both their goals were speculative long-range efforts and, for long periods in that October meeting, we bossed things.”

Fairweather continued: “The key for me is the mindset of my players. If they are in the right place then we can, and will, get the result we need.

“The points are important as our games are counting down with eight after this one. I do still hold the belief that we can finish in the top three.

“However, if that is not to be the case then I am very confident that a top four finish would still see us promoted.”

“As I have said before, as a squad I don’t feel any team in the division can match us in terms of individual player talent.

Where we have fallen down at times is playing as a team.

“Thorverton are a good team and play the game the right way. Their record of 11 wins from 11 games is impressive, but it is not something that should scare us.

The only first team squad member to be unavailable is goalkeeper Hugh Court who continues to be troubled by a shoudler injury.

That means Ben Rushdon, who kept goal in the win over Pinhoe (the Otters last game), will once again deputise.

Fairweather says: “I am confident that we can come back from there with something to show for what I hope is another terrific Ottery team performance.”

The trip to Thorverton is the first of four successive away matches for the Otters in January.With Thorverton, Kentisbeare and Uplowman seemingly locked in a three-club scrap for the title, the Otters must target being ‘the best of the rest’ as a fourth place finish would probably be sufficient to see Washbrook Meadows stage Division Three football in the 2017/18 season.