Ottery St Mary head into tomorrow’s Macron Devon and Exeter League Division Three game at Otterton (3pm) in good spirits after winning their first game of a new campaign, beating Beer Albion Reserves 2-1 at Washbrook Meadow last Saturday.

Otters boss Dave Fairweather is able to welcome back Dan Jewell, Tom Badcott, Johnny De Cruz and goalkeeper Jamie Evans, who all missed success over the Fishermen.

However, the quartets’ return does now present the Otters boss with a problem! He explained saying: “It now means I have tough decisions to make with regard to starting places, but that can only be a good thing for the club.”

The game against Beer saw the Otters take a lead thanks to a smart finish from last season’s leading scorer Corey Ringer with the assist coming from Luke Jones, who was making his Otters debut.

The visitors levelled before the break, but a second half finish from Jordan Wilkinson with the assist from skipper Kurtis Winchcombe, settled the issue to ensure the Otters made a winning start to the new term.

The win over Beer was one his side deserved according to Fairweather who said: “We played well in the first half and deservedly took the lead through Corey Ringer, only to commit the age old crime of a drop in concentration that gifted them a way back into the game.”

He continued: “We were not quite as good after the break, but did enough to make sure we got the points thanks to a Jordan Wilkinson goal.”

The Otters did go into the opening game without their regular goalkeeper – Ben Rushton stepped in to take the gloves and the team was also put together with the one available centre back! However, win they did, but the Otters boss is still concerned with one particular aspect of his side’s play, something he alluded to when he said: “I wish we could eradicate the ‘sloppiness’ and lack of concentration from our play. I do think that fitness plays a part and also I believe that there is an element of ‘lack of desire’. Look, I know it’s all about the level you play at, but even at our level, things such as ‘switching off’ can be avoided. It’s certainly something we need to try and rid from our system as we look to take the club further.”

Next up it’s that game at Otterton tomorrow (Saturday) and Fairweather is very clear as to what sort of game he expects his side to face.

He says: “It will be tough. They [Otterton] are always well organised and I don’t doubt there will be a physical aspect to the contest. We have done well at their place in the past and I am looking for more of the same as I am very keen for us to continue a winning start to the new season.”