Ottery St Mary exited the Devon Senior Cup after a 2-1 defeat against Division 1 Kentisbeare, writes Sam Cooper.

The Otters were knocked out of the Devon Senior Cup at the third round stage after an injury time own goal gave Kentisbeare a 2-1 win at Washbrook Meadows.

A late goal in the first half from Ottery striker Corey Ringer had given the home side the lead, but two second half goals from the away side condemned the Otters to the defeat.

Ottery manager Dave Fairweather said he was ‘proud’ of his team despite the result and didn’t think they deserved the defeat. He told the Herald: “I was really proud of us toay. I thought we really looked like a good side.

“Sometimes when you play against a side which are meant to be better than you, you stop doing the basics right and we did those really well. We looked to play when we could, I’m really pleased.”

Despite being two divisions below their rivals, Ottery showed no signs of being in awe of their opponent. The opening stages were a tightly contested affair with both sides struggling to get shots away.

As the rain began to fall, both teams were finding it difficult to retain the ball and the majority of the attacks were coming on the counter.

Ottery keeper Jamie Evans was on hand to make a couple of smart saves just after the half hour mark.

In first half injury time, Ottery’s leading scorer Ringer, broke into the box and saw his initial shot saved, but when it came back to him, he calmly tucked it away and that proved to be the final kick of the half.

Their lead did not last long though, as two minutes into the second half, Kentisbeare equalised when Kieran Fry rifled a shot that a home defender, on the goal line, could only help on its way into the net!

With the contest heading towards extra-time, the Kents’ forged one more attack and, when the ball was crossed into a crowded area where, cruelly, it ricocheted off Ottery skipper Curtis Winchcombe and then the keeper on its way into the net.

The goal, a classic sucker-punch, was timed at 95 minutes and,, for a hugely impressive Ottery, who deserved to have the extra half-hour , and then a possible penalty shoot-out, it was certainly hard to take.

Next up for the Otters, it’s back to Macron League Division Three action and a Saturday (November 10) visit to Newton St Cyres (2.15pm).