Ottery St Mary claimed a first clean sheet away success of the Macron League Division Four season, winning 2-0 at St Martins, and it could not have come at a more opportune time!

The Otters have three more games to play and, if they win all three, then they are guaranteed, at the very least, a top five spot and that ought to be good enough to see them promoted for a third successive season.

Second half goals from James Gosney and Tom Melia ensured that the Otters took all three points.

A delighted Ottery manager Dave Fairweather said: “We did the basic things right and got our just rewards as a result.

“In the first half we tore them apart and it was concern for me at the break that we had not scored any of the chances.

“That said. The players deserve so much credit for they kept doing what had been asked of them, kept plugging away, kept creating chances, and eventually they got stuck away.”

It was not all one-way though and, having reached half-time on level terms, the home side clearly grew in confidence and fashioned some good opportunities after the break. However, the defence were solid and the cover was excellent. The clean sheet was no more than the team deserved.

“I am a great believer that you defend from the front and attack from the back – there’s no hiding for me, everyone plays there part throughout and that’s what we got at St Martins and the net result was a precious three points.”

The Otters sit out this coming Saturday (February 18) Macron League matchday, but they are in action on Sunday (February 19) when they begin the defence of the Golesworthy Cup they won last season.

The Otters make the short trip across East Devon to Dunkeswell Rovers for a 2pm kick-off.

Sean Durkin, Adam Harris, Nick Searle and Callum Rogers, are all missing, but that does not unduly concern the Otter boss who says: “As ever, it’s a great opportunity for those who might otherwise be on the bench or miss out entirely to put the short on and show what they are capable of.”

The Golesworthy Cup tie is followed by a midweek Grandisson Cup tie at Washbrook Meadow (7pm) when the visitors will be Feniton Reserves.

Fairweather says: “With us only having three more league games to play the fact we are in two cup competitions gives us the opportunity to extend the season.

“Results are all that matter now at this stage of the season and it’s exciting times for sure for everyone involved.

“If we win the last three league games there’s every chance we’ll be playing in Division Three next season and if we can keep winning in the cups we’ll have some silverware to show off at the end of season awards.”