The rise and rise of Ottery St Mary during the latter stages of 2014 has been eye catching, to say the least, writes Steve Birley.

The Otters, under the management of Mike Dawe saw off their nearest rivals in terms of the Fresha League Division Six title race, on the Saturday before Christmas, beating Kentisbeare 4-2.

Goals from Adam Harris and Sean Ford were answered by a penalty to see the Otters into a 2-1 half-time lead. Left back Nick Searle rifled home a free-kick after the break before a second Kentisbeare penalty made it 3-2. The points were finally secured when substitute Jack Collins, brought on by the Otters boss to add extra power in the middle third, broke clear to net the fourth.

Dawe said: “It was a cracking game befitting of the top-of-the-table billing. They (Kentisbeare) are a good side and they have a couple of strikers who are a real handful. However, we have a very solid, honest and reliable back line who have proved themselves a match for the best at our current level and that was again the case on Saturday. To have played seven at home and conceded just once from open play (both Saturday’s visiting goals were penalties), is something for the defence to be very pleased about.”

The victory also sealed a season’s double over the Mid Devon side and it means the Otters sit top of the table at Christmas and have a healthy even point lead over the Kent’s who have played one game fewer.

The victory was a seventh successive at home for the Otters who have scored 35 goals in the run and shipped just three!

This Saturday they travel to Dunkeswell looking to end the year of 2014 on a real high and then they have a five game sequence in January which, by the end of it, should, have guided them to within touching distance of a coveted place in the next division of the Fresha League.

January sees Dawe’s men host Langdon, Woodbury and Exwick Villa whilst they also venture to Silverton and East Budleigh.

If the weather allows a busy January to be completed then the Otters will arrive in February with eight matches to play in what is looking like being a glorious campaign for all at Washbrook Meadow.