Upottery were 2-1 winners at Chulmleigh and are now guaranteed a top three finish in the Fresha League Division Three.

Four days after a 3-0 win at Hemyock, where goals from Mark Tucker, Adam Crabbe and Joe Jones, saw the villagers complete a seven-day double over their near neighbours, they banked three more precious points thanks to second half goals from Max McKewan and Danny Symons.

Trailing at the break after an abject first half display, Upottery boss Dan Prettejohn dished out a managerial ‘blast’ during the interval and that drew the desired response! In the 55th minute Joe Jones provided the assist for McKewan to restore parity and, with 15 minutes remaining, a Dan Scadden corner was slammed home by Symons.

Prettejohn said: “I let the lads have it at the break. I told them that they were 45 short minutes from chucking away a season-long project. I also told them that with the club set to launch a reserve team next season the way they had performed in the first half suggested that we’d be the clubs second string next year! It all came good and we got the points in the end.”

With four matches remaining six points will secure a top two finish and the title will be heading to Glebe Park if the villagers can beat title rivals University when they meet the students at home on Saturday (April 25) and also win two of their other three remaining matches,

Upottery are in midweek action with a Wednesday night (April 22) Glebe Park game against a Newtown side they beat 1-0 in Exeter earlier this month. Then, after the University match on Saturday they go to Manstone Lane to face Sidmouth Town Reserves on May 2, and then travel to Dawlish on May 4, to complete their season.

Boss Prettejohn says: “We are close now to fulfilling a season-long mission. Finishing in a top three berth and with it bagging promotion was always the priority. Winning the title would be very special and it would be cruel on the lads if they were to slip up now. I have no doubt that the last four games are all going to have added tension. However, I am confident that the team has it in them to battle the nerves to get us where we want to be.”

For the midweek meeting with Newtown left sided defender Adam Crabbe and central midfielder Jake Phillips are both available after the pair missed the win at Chulmleigh.