Ipplepen Athletic U14s 3,

Dartmouth AFC U14s 2

This top-of-table clash saw the home side move closer to the league title, while defeat for Dartmouth sees their hopes of promotion all but over.

It could, however, have been very different as the young Darts' held a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Both sides were on their game from the first whistle with Ipplepen having a shot from distance in the opening minute.

Luckily Darts 'keeper Aaron Morrison was on hand to pull off a wonderful save to tip it over the bar.

The home side did open the scoring seven minutes later, but to Dartmouth's credit the goal seemed to lift them and for the remainder of the half they outplayed Ipplepen.

The equaliser came with 19 minutes on the clock. Liam Wadeson flicked on a Joe Turner corner for Tom Matthews to slam home for his ninth of the season.

Three minutes later the visitors scored a carbon copy of their first goal, this time Solley Metchette finishing at the far post.

In the last ten Dartmouth had some really good chances to bury the home side.

First Wadeson had a clear run at goal, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle. Then Matthews was one-on-one with 'keeper but fired wide and in the last minute of the half a Wadeson rocket was somehow tipped over by the Pens' 'keeper.

Unfortunately for Dartmouth, the opening five minutes of the second half saw all their hard work undone when two lapses of concentration allowed Ipplepen to score twice in what would turn out to be the defining moments of the match.

Again though, Dartmouth's never-say-die attitude saw them battle superbly to seek out an equaliser and they had the hosts on the ropes.

Jack Carter had a brilliant header from a corner blocked, with Cameron Webb volleying the rebound just wide. Matthews then went close once again before Connor Elliott looked to be in on goal only to be denied by more good defending.

Ippelpen were still dangerous on the counter as they looked to grab a fourth goal, but some excellent defending from Doyle, Blair, Irvine, and Ryan Burrows snuffed out everything that came their way.

The young Darts now finish the season with two home games, starting with the visit of Ugborough this Sunday. Kick-off is 11am at Longcross and all support is very welcome.