A hat trick from Seb Copp helped Ottery U16s to an impressive 6-1 victory at Okehampton, as the Otters got their League One campaign off to a winning start.
It was Okehampton who made the brighter start, catching Ottery cold with a decisive break down the right. The home striker caught the visitors napping, firing in off the post past Sam Medland-Gray, making his Ottery debut in between the sticks.
It was a wake-up call for Ottery, who had strengthened their side in pre-season, with newcomer Finn Drew starting in midfield alongside the driving force of Jack Carpenter, Levi Burt and James Blain.
The Otters quickly started to play some good expansive football with Blain combining well with Finn Upsher and Seb Copp up front.
On 19 minutes, Ottery drew level, with a lovely passage of play. Upsher picked up the ball on the half-way line, playing it out wide to Blaine, whose cross asked too much from Okehampton and one of their defenders, who turned the danger ball into the back of the net from close range.
Manager Addy Carpenter shuffled his pack and introduced new signings Brad Butterfield and Ben Greare and on 25 minutes Ottery took the lead when Copp latched on to a perfect through-ball from Sam Gleeson and fired past the Okehampton ‘keeper.
Ollie Milton was brought on for the Otters and just before half-time the visiting side made it 3-1 when Upsher was put through by Butterfield and the Ottery striker made no mistake with a tidy finish.
Copp helped himself to a second on 50 minutes and Otter’s fourth, combining well with Milton to pounce on a loose ball. Finn Drew almost made it a dream start but his volley was saved by the keeper and Butterfield was also denied a long-range effort .
Copp clinched his hat-trick on 60 minutes, rifling home from 15 yards before Levi Burt made in 6-1 with a well-deserved individual effort, finding the corner of the Okehampton net with a low driven shot.
A good day at the office for Carpenter’s side. who look like being there or thereabouts this season with depth throughout the squad.
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