Outstanding Otters set up a fascinating title showdown

The win keeps Addy Carpenter’s young braves in second place but with a chance of clinching the title.

The title decider is likely to come next Saturday when Ottery square up to leaders Cranbrook at Washbrook Meadows, with a win for the home side likely to clinch the title silverware for Ottery.

Ottery got off to a flyer when the returning Jake Johnson found the back of the opposition net with a fine strike following a through ball from the influential Jack Carpenter. Culm Sampford pulled one back on five minutes, taking advantage of a mistake in the Ottery defence.

Ottery restored their lead when Finn Upsher fired home from thirty yards after a superb run from the halfway line. On 24 minutes, Ottery extended their lead when a Levi Burt shot was only parried out to James Blain, who made no mistake.

Brad Butterfield made it 4-1 on 28 minutes when he volleyed home superbly from a Sam Gleason corner. There was still time before the break for Johnson to bag his second of the match, following up on a Carpenter shot that the stopper couldn’t keep under control.

In the second half, CS pulled one back almost immediately after the restart but Johnson made it 6-3 with his third of the game following good work from Upsher and Carpenter.

In a thrilling game, CS scored their third of the game on 55 minutes before Carpenter got in on the scoring, rifling home from 20 yards to make in 7-3 to the visitors.

Upsher tapped home from close range for his second of the match following good work from Johnson before Fin Drew completed the scoring with a tap-in after some exceptional wing play from man of the match Johnson.

Boss Carpenter was impressed with his side’s performance: “The boys were excellent and played some really good football, at times mixing it up but ultimately coming away with another three points on the board,” he said.

Celebrating Jake Johnson's hat-trick with Finn Upsher (Image: Ottery St Mary FC)