Devon Premier Cup
Dartmouth AFC 7,
Ivybridge Town reserves 1
Dartmouth AFC progressed into the next round of the Devon Premier Cup with a clinical display of finishing in a 7-1 triumph at Longcross over fellow premier division outfit Ivybridge Town reserves.
The returning Liam McAuley and Karl Baker replaced Lee Kendall and young Solley Metchette in the side to really strengthen Dartmouth’s attack, allowing Josh Webber to return to his natural left midfield position.
The home side went in search of an early goal, and their first attempt on target came courtesy of right-back Freddie Smith, who tested the hands of the Ivybridge ‘keeper from outside the box.
Dartmouth continued to do much of the early pressing and were rewarded with a goal after 20 minutes; Karl Baker found himself free in the area after a delightful ball forward from Mark Forrester and finished with typical finesse beyond the away ‘keeper to hand his side the lead.
Dartmouth sustained their bright start by playing some good football through the defence and midfield, with Ben Greeno particularly dangerous as he looked to find space behind the away sides back line.
Ivybridge looked to play the ball out to their wide men at every opportunity, and after a mix-up at the heart of the Dartmouth defence their number nine broke free but was denied by the brilliant outstretched boot of ‘keeper Steve Leaman, who was deputising for the absent Ryan Walton.
After soaking up a period of pressure from the away side, Dartmouth finished the half strongly with Webber, Karl Baker and Charlie Smith coming close to extending their sides advantage.
On 43 minutes they did double their lead when an excellent cross from Forrester was met by young winger Charlie Smith, who managed to keep onside to clip his effort expertly over the away ‘keeper and into the net via the crossbar.
It was an important goal just before the interval for a Dartmouth side that struggled to create too many clear-cut chances, but they put the game to bed with two goals in the space of five second-half minutes.
First Baker worked the ball well in the box and finished confidently for his second of the game, and shortly afterwards McAuley beat his defender and superbly found teammate Baker free in the area.
He smashed in underneath the ‘keeper from 12 yards to claim a hat-trick despite not being at full fitness after a recent foot injury.
Dartmouth’s confidence was high and they made it five without reply when a typically accurate Forrester corner was glanced in by the head of central defender Jordan Frost for his first of the season, ignoring claims from Greeno that he who got the final touch.
The home side remained solid at the back and continued to dominate possession of the ball.
After the ball was switched to the feet of McAuley on the left-hand side of the penalty area, he composed himself before curling his effort into the far corner of the net to keep up his record of scoring in very game he has played in this season.
Strong defending from central defender Danny Rushe and full back Richie Baker prevented Ivybridge from creating any openings around the Dartmouth goal, and their side made it seven with 15 minutes to play when a dangerous ball in from Webber found man-of-the-match Greeno who rifled in with confidence from 12 yards.
To their credit the away side kept battling and were rewarded when a shot from long range nestled in the corner, giving Leaman no chance in the Dartmouth goal.
This was a good team performance from Dartmouth, who will be hoping to go far in a competition that has eluded managers Adam Kerswell and Forrester in the past.
The team would like to thank Kevin John of the Ship In Dock for supplying post match pizza to both sides, groundsmen Terry Chalk and Gary Lobb for making the pitch one of the best in the league and linesman Alan Wadeson and physio Scott Silsbury for their help on match day.
This week the first team return to league action and will be hoping to close the gap at the top of the league when they face bottom-of-the-table Kingskerswell and Chelston at Longcross, kick-off is at 2.30pm.