When does a draw feel like a win? That was the certainly the case at Broadclyst last Saturday when Ottery St Mary Reserves scored with virtually the last kick of the game to share a 2-2 draw with high flying Fresha league Division Nine side Cranbrook, writes Steve Birley.

The Otters, without a win all season and, prior to this match, without any sort of competitive action since December 12, were, to a man, magnificent.

Adam Harris was last season’s top scorer in the first team, but this year work commitments have restricted his availability. He was on duty for this one and his presence in front of goal clearly made all the difference as he got both the goals.It was not a one-man-show though, far from it as Ottery club boss Dave Fairweather said: “I’d spent the best part of the three days before the game talking to people on the phone as we were without as many as nine players across both teams. Fortunately, the first team game was off and that did allow us to use one or two who might have been with me and the first team at Halwill.

“The second team did us proud and their spirit was epitomised by debutant Callum James who came off the bench to join the action and ended the contest in goal after an unfortunate injury to Toby Harris. If the team can repeat this sort of collective performance and take those chances when they come in front of the opposition goal then I am very confident they will begin to win matches.”