SDFL division four

Ilsington Villa 0,

Dittisham United 6

Last Saturday the Plums made the long trip to mid-table rivals Ilsington. This was on the back of a poor run of form which saw Ditts without a league win in the month of May.

You could forgive almost everyone involved in the previous week's loss to Dartmouth for being short of confidence and as a result of this the management trio of Paul Rowden, Dan Bastin and Deano Martyn decided to ring the changes, bringing Marcus Copeman back into midfield and pushing Joe Kirby up alongside Sam Bruckner. Robson Chater also lined up at right-back.

Dittisham started in the ascendancy, keeping the ball well and making Ilsington chase shadows.

It was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and it came after a fast counter attack by Red Hogben, who used his blistering pace to beat his marker and pull the ball back for Copeman to finish.

The second came five minutes later, as the opposition goalkeeper passed the ball to his full-back it seemed to spark the Plums to all close down their man at once, forcing him to kick his ball to Hogben. Hogben again passed to Copeman, who lobbed the goalkeeper from 25 yards.

It was three just before half-time after some brilliant hold-up play by Joe Kirby led to him being cynically fouled. Captain Deano Martyn stepped up and looped the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner.

More dazzling football followed in the second half and all three goals were encouragingly scored after a period of being under pressure from the hosts.

Time after time the back four won the ball back and looked early to midfielder Joe Blamey and Copeman, who both displayed their long and short passing capabilities well. Aaron Soper was always a threat on the break. Bruckner, Kirby and Hogben grabbed the goals.

A very special mention goes to 17-year-old Hogben who, since coming back into the side, has been a breath of fresh air. His pace, trickery and directness gives defenders a nightmare and it was he who picked up the man-of-the-match award.

This Saturday Paignton Villa travel to Shinners Meadow for another mid-table clash.