Ottery St Mary’s woeful start to the new season continued on Saturday when they went out of the County Cup, beaten 3-1 at WBW South Devon League side Babbacombe Corinthians.

The Otters have now shipped three goals in each of the four games – two in the league and two in cup competitions – that they have contested so far this season.

Saturday’s Firewatch Devon Senior Cup tie in South Devon had, until the hour mark, looked like going the way of the Otters, who, at that stage, were leading thanks to an early second half goal from Adam Harris.

However, as Otters boss Dave Fairweather explained, things went downhill over the final third of the contest.

He said: “Without wanting to sound like a cracked record, it was a case of same old, same old! We lost three goals - all to set pieces - and I am fed up of having to say this, but conceding goals at set pieces can be taken back to training ground routines – or lack of them.”

He continued: “As I said recently, the fact that we are not getting even 80 per cent turnout at training explains just why we are so disorganised in real match play time.

“Things like set piece defending are the bread and butter of any side and sorted on the training ground, but to get that sort of disciplined organisation you need to have all the people involved at training – and that is something we are just not getting!”

Recently, the manager of South West Peninsula League Premier Division outfit Exmouth Town made a very public exit from his post suggesting that the words ‘loyalty’ and ‘commitment’ were not to the fore at his club from some of his players, and it is certainly the latter that concerns the Ottery boss.

Fairweather says: “Commitment is not simply pitching up on a Saturday afternoon and playing at your best for the club.

“It’s so much more than that and starts with the weekly training session when we get one shot at making sure everyone knows their jobs on the following matchday.

“I am running out of patience now and fully intend to get two or three new players into the squad in the coming week or so.

“It’s clear we need to bring in more players who are going to show us the sort of commitment that we, as a club, show them.”

Next up for the Otters is a Saturday (September 30) home league meeting with Pinhoe.

Three out of the five October games for the Otters sees them playing away as they have home and away meetings with Royal Oak plus away games at Tipton St John and Priory in the league as well as a midweek home game (next Wednesday, October 3) when University 4ths are the opposition for a floodlit game (7.30pm).

However, given the well documented on-going suituation vis-a-vis the Washbrook Meadow lights, it does seem crazy that the club has been given a midweek floodlit game to stage!

Their other October outing is an October 7, Bill Slee Cup tie at home to Thorverton.