SDFL division four
AFC Staverton 0,
Dittisham United 3
Last Saturday the Plums travelled to Staverton, a pitch that hasn't produced much luck in the past for many of the squad.
This was always going to be a tough test with the home side on exactly the same points having played the same number of games.
Staverton started the brighter, having much of the ball but failing to break through the ever-present defence of Jake Blamey, Deano Marino, Hank Bastin and Si Passmore, marshalled by skipper and 'keeper Ross Williams.
As the first half went on Ditts began to find confidence and a half chance fell to Redford Hogben after a Chris Fisher delivery.
The fight and determination that had been lacking in a recent loss to Newton Rovers was plain for everyone to see as the Plums, in the away strip of orange, got to half time with the game tied at 0-0.
The message from manager Bastin and assistant Marino was to keep the tempo and chances will fall.
The pattern of the first half continued as the Ditts midfield of Dave Vicary, Joe Kirby and Sammy Bruckner pressed their man in turn, forcing wayward passes and Staverton to play backwards.
The wide men of fisher and Colin Rowden worked tirelessly to stop their full backs having an impact going forward.
Finally, 20 minutes from time, the Plums got the goal they deserved.
A set piece wasn't dealt with and Rowden saw his goal-bound shot deflect to the feet of the grateful Bruckner, who obligingly smashed the ball past the goalkeeper, almost taking the net out of its stanchions.
The shape of the team was regained once the game had restarted but within two minutes Ditts found themselves two up.
The ball was played wide to Rowden, who stepped inside on to his favoured right foot and struck the sweetest of efforts into the bottom corner.
Again the disciplined Plums regained the shape and at times defended for dear life as chances fell to the hosts.
The back four and the skipper were as ever stubborn in their work.
Just before the end of play there was time for young Hogben to notch his second in a week.
He seized on a ball two Staverton defenders had let bounce, showing blistering pace to run through and with the composure of someone way ahead of his years expertly lifted the ball over the 'keeper and into the net.
This hard fought win will be the first of many the Plums look to achieve in the coming weeks, and with leaders Liverton only managing a draw Ditts are certainly in with a shot.
This week's man-of-the-match award went to Joe Kirby for a fantastic performance in the midfield.