Dartmouth Cup

East Allington 4,

Riviera Spurs 1

This cup win was well deserved by Allington after an excellent season which also saw them finish third in Division One after losing a number of players following relegation last season.

It could have been a tricky season, but the young players who stepped in with the loyal regulars played their part in a successful season.

Tom Harvey gave Allington an early lead when his inswinging free kick found its way just inside the far post with no-one getting a touch on it.

Allington soon doubled their lead when Ben Robey burst into the box, but just as he was about to shoot he was taken out by the last defender, who unfortunately was shown the red card, Harvey dispatching the resulting penalty.

Robey was unlucky again not to get on to the scoresheet when his cross-shot flashed just past the far post.

The spirited Riviera team then started to cause Allington problems as they fought to get back into the game.

They were playing high balls up to their tall striker, who was winning the majority of them for his team mates and k'eeper Matt Weeks had to make a couple of smart saves to deny them.

Early in the second half Riviera did pull a goal back when Allington failed to clear the ball and it was bundled over the line. This gave them a boost for a while, but Allington gradually got back control of the game as central defenders Steve Weeks and Matt Duffy started to nullify the threat of their striker.

In midfield, Andy Weeks and man-of-the-match Dan Bowles worked tirelessly putting through some great balls for Simon Hannaford and Any King.

It was full-back Craig Tucker who got the crucial third goal when he strode forward to hit a low shot from 20 yards which skidded off the wet surface and through the 'keeper's grasp.

Good play down the left by Jon Davis and Hannaford led to the fourth goal when they forced a corner, Bowles heading in Harvey's flag kick.

The closing minutes were somewhat spoilt when the frustrated Riviera striker hit out at a couple of Allington's players and he was also shown a red card, leaving his team mates to see out the remaining time with nine men.

However, nothing was going to spoil Allington's celebrations at the final whistle.

A special mention to skipper Neil Weeks, who failed a late fitness test, but he more than played his part in getting them to the final and he joined stand-in skipper Simon Hannaford to lift the cup.

Tonight they hold their end of season presentation night at the Mill Club.

Thanks to the Dog Lodge, Slapton, who sponsored the new kit for the final.