Quality shows in poor conditions

Feniton u-13s 0, Ottery St Mary u-13s 5: Conditions were horrible for both teams with a near 50mph wind blowing right across the pitch.

Fortunately the rain had held off overnight allowing the fixture to be played, although it was still quite soft underfoot.

Looking sluggish and tired in the warm-up, Ottery went out to get all three points and produced some good one-twos all over the pitch.

Switching play with patient build-up led to a hatful of chances coming Ottery's way, though they were unable to capitalise and the wind played a big factor in that.

J Youlden and J Broadbent were linking up well, while S Pratt in his unaccustomed right wing position was causing Feniton all sorts of problems. The majority of the chances were being created down the wings but, as crosses came in, they either held up or were blown too far, leaving Ottery frustrated.

Eventually the breakthrough came when R Bonetta gambled on a near post cross from S Pratt to turn it in from a yard out.

Ottery gave Feniton little time or space to create anything.

After the interval, Ottery continued to play with calmness and quality. R Bonetta grabbed his second of the game in similar style to the first and was then replaced in a treble substitution which saw D Hathaway, R Pike and R Harris take to the field - and it was not long before all three substitutes had their names on the scoresheet. R Harris was first, linking onto a through ball to delicately loft it over the helpless keeper. Then D Hathaway, after some good work from R Pike and J Youlden on the left, roofed the ball into the open net - a delightfully worked move straight from the training ground. R Pike finished the scoring.

The performance was just as had been requested. In difficult conditions, the Ottery team displayed some of the many qualities that have placed them in the position they currently occupy at the top of the table.

By Scott Halliday

Feniton u-13s 0, Ottery St Mary u-13s 5