Kelly makes a difference

OTTERS returned to winning ways on Easter Monday, but made heavy weather of defeating lowly M&T Awbridge.

Awbridge came closest to scoring in the early stages. Mark Risbridger broke clear on the right, but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Danny Chapman.

The visitors hit a purple patch in the closing minutes of the first half. Pete Kelly gave them the lead with a cleverly placed free kick on the edge of the penalty area, then Liam Houghton screwed a shot a fraction wide following good work from Neil Langridge.

Awbridge looked a different proposition in the second half. Chapman made another quality save to deny Chris Stiles. Then, midway through, they won a penalty, but Risbridger's spot kick cannoned off the crossbar as if to confirm that it wasn't Awbridge's day.

The hosts had another gilt-edged chance to save the match when Tim Pragnell sent in Risbridger in the closing minutes. But he made a bad contact, and Otterbourne had successfully ridden the storm.

The game was eventful to the last, Otterbourne substitute Neil Foulkes being red carded within minutes of his introduction!

Otterbourne 0, Durley 0

Otterbourne's six game winning streak was ended on Saturday when some fine goalkeeping at both ends prevented any scoring.

Duncan Farmery was first to display his prowess, making a save at full length as Gavin Barfoot powered through the heart of Otterbourne's defence.

Durley's Nick Pink then did likewise to deny the dangerous Liam Houghton on two occasions.

Farmery thwarted Ricky Bull in the early minutes of the second half when the Durley man sprang the offside trap.

Pink was in action again, beating Houghton to a fifty-fifty ball and later making the save of the match to turn a fierce drive from Andy Samuels to safety.

The visitors might have stolen all three points in injury time, but Bull's free kick cleared the crossbar by inches.