Ottery U16s move top with victory over Brixington

The win takes the Otters back to the top of League Division One, just a point ahead of their local rivals Cranbrook United.

It looks like being a thrilling end to the season, with Addy Carpenter’s side still to take on Cranbrook at Washbrook Meadows at the end of April. The two sides also face each other in the semi-finals of the Exeter & District League Cup.

Ottery took a while to get going against third-placed Brixington before Seb Copp broke the deadlock on 18 minutes, showing dogged determination to chase down a lost cause and poke the ball past the Brixington keeper.

Brixington hit back just moments later, firing in a free kick that was comfortably saved by Ottery keeper Sam Medland-Gray. Copp then rattled the Brixington post before making it 2-0 with his 24th goal of the campaign, following good work from Finn Upsher and James Blain.

Ottery made it 3-0 when Levi Burt fed the ball out to Finn Drew on the right. The nippy wing-back cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable shot from 25 yards that almost ripped the back of the net off.

Ottery went into the break with a comfortable lead, thanks in part to the dominance of Jack Carpenter and Levi Burt in midfield and the deadly strike partnership of Copp and Blain. Yet it was Brixington who started the second half the better side and pulled a goal back on 47 minutes.

Carpenter shuffled his pack and gave second-half opportunities to Fin Giles and Jamie Pitter. Brixington could have reduced the deficit even further on 17 minutes but for a terrific finger-tip save from Medland-Gray to deny the home side.

Ottery put the game to bed with ten minutes remaining when Upsher won a corner with a surging run down the right flank. Sam Gleeson swung in the resulting corner on to the boot of the advancing Burt, who made no mistake with a thundering volley that flew into the Brixington net.

Finn Drew in action for Ottery U16s in the 4-1 victory at Brixington (Image: Stephen Upsher)