SDFL premier division
Kingskerswell and Chelston 0,
Dartmouth AFC 4
Dartmouth bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable victory against Kingskerswell and Chelston in the league, despite missing a number of regular players.
Charlie Smith, Dan Drury and Darren Goss were drafted in from the reserves and all played their part in a well-rounded performance, replacing the unavailable Mark Forrester, Freddie Smith and Nicky Moyse respectively.
The home side started the brighter of the two sides without really causing the defensive back three of Jordan Frost, Drury and Kurtley Hassall any real problems.
Once holding midfielder Ryan Frost started to get on the ball and spray some pinpoint passes around the pitch, Dartmouth began to control proceedings.
The visitors came close to taking the lead when a Josh Webber corner found Danny Broadway unmarked at the back post, and he was unlucky not to find the back of the net with a powerful header.
On 20 minutes Dartmouth deservedly took the lead when a through-ball from Ryan Frost found Broadway bearing down on goal, and he made no mistake in lashing the ball under the 'keeper and into the net.
Wing-backs Ben Bowhay and Richie Baker were showing some great energy to support the front line, and after Bowhay fed the ball to Webber he supplied a delicate through ball to Karl Baker, with the latter showing great composure to tuck away Dartmouth's second goal of the game.
Half time arrived with the visitors in total charge, and they continued to search for the killer third goal that would all but seal victory.
Some solid marking from the Dartmouth defenders provided the platform for the team to press for the next goal, and on a number of occasions they were close to getting in behind the Kerswell backline.
On 65 minutes the inevitable third goal arrived; Bowhay was played through and he showed great vision to unselfishly lay off to Broadway to tap in at the back post for his second goal of the afternoon.
As expected, the home side had to push men forward in search for a way back into the game, but Goss in the Dartmouth goal commanded his box well when the ball threatened to cause problems in the penalty box.
The visitors continued to exploit the space that was beginning to appear in front of them, and after Smith dispossessed the Kerswell midfielder with a clever tackle, Karl Baker threaded the ball to the feet of Broadway, who rounded the 'keeper and passed into the net from a tight angle for his hat-trick.
Dartmouth ran down the clock with some clever and controlled play to claim the three points, which sees them rise to second in the league table.
Managers Gary Lobb and Chick Havlin must have been very pleased with their team's performance considering they were forced to make a number of changes to the formation and personnel prior to kick-off.
Dartmouth reserves are into the quarter-finals of the Fred Hewings Cup having knocked out division five Paignton Saints reserves 6-0 at Longcross.
Ross Little scored his first two goals for the club, with Ed Armitage, Jack Berry, James Lee and an own goal completing the scoring.
This week both sides are in league action; the first team are away to league leaders Watcombe Wanderers, and the reserves travel to Ipplepen Athletic reserves.
Both games kick off at 2:30pm.