SDFL

Premier Division

Dartmouth AFC 7,

Watcombe

Wanderers 0

Dartmouth AFC produced a fantastic performance to record a 7-0 victory and inflict a first defeat on league leaders Watcombe Wanderers on Satur­day.

Dartmouth made two changes to the team that defeated East Allington 1-0 in midweek; Jack White and Robbie Bowker replaced Charlie Smith and reserve team player Mark Sneap.

The hosts were aware of the importance of picking up all three points and made a positive start to the game, with both Karl Baker and Josh Webber testing the ‘keeper from long range.

The first real opportunity of the match arrived after 10 minutes, but wing-back Freddie Smith couldn’t convert Webber’s cut back when well placed inside the box.

Watcombe gradually got a foothold in the game and forced a couple of corners that were dealt with by the Dartmouth defence.

It was the hosts that continued to look the most threatening side going forward and they got their just reward for a good start when they took the lead after 25 minutes.

Good possession football led to Baker finding a yard of space outside the penalty area and his effort deflected off of a Watcombe de­fender before looping over the away ‘keeper and into the net.

Dartmouth kept their fast start going and should have doubled their lead five minutes later, but White fired over from close range.

For all Dartmouth’s dominance, they couldn’t quite find a second goal and nearly conceded on the stroke of half time.

A loose ball was turned goalwards by the Watcombe striker and somehow Walton managed to produce a fantastic one-handed save to turn the ball around the post when he appeared to be beaten.

From the resulting corner Ben Greeno cleared downfield and Baker outran the away defence before smashing low and hard into the corner of the net.

This was a crucial few minutes in the context of the game and gave Dartmouth some breathing space going into the half-time interval.

The home side re­turned from the break looking to replicate their first-half performance and quite simply blew Watcombe away with an excellent display of football.

Dartmouth’s third goal arrived 10 minutes into the second half courtesy of defender Jordan Frost.

A short corner routine between Mark Forrester, Webber and White saw the latter cross the ball into the path of Frost to guide into the net from six yards.

The all-important fourth goal effectively sealed the contest; good determination from Greeno to chase down every ball paid off when he crossed into the path of Baker, who took a touch out of his feet and lashed into the net for his hat-trick.

Watcombe couldn’t quite believe what was happening when Dart­mouth scored again in front of a packed Long­cross crowd on the hour mark.

More good link-up play between Smith and Greeno resulted in the latter driving the ball into the path of centre-back Danny Rushe, who smashed the ball into the net beyond the ‘keeper.

The goal of the game arrived with 15 minutes left to play; Greeno picked up the ball in the middle of midfield and in one swift movement turned and fired over the Watcombe ‘keeper from 25 yards to score Dartmouth’s sixth of the afternoon.

Charlie Smith, Lee Fenner and Cameron Webb were all brought on to the field of play and they nearly made an instant impact.

Smith played the ball through to Fenner and he broke free of his marker before unself­ishly laying the ball to Webb inside the penalty area.

The 16-year-old took the shot first time but was denied by a fine save.

Dartmouth were not to be denied for too long, however, as they rounded off the scoring after 80 minutes.

White created space inside the penalty area and volleyed into the corner for his second Dartmouth goal.

A special mention must go to Walton, Frost, Rushe and Ollie Woolland who all had excellent games and laid the foundations for a very impressive victory.

This win reduces the gap at the top to six points and Dartmouth have two games in hand on their title rivals.

The first team travel to bogey side Waldon Athletic on Saturday as they look to claim another three points in the league and all support is welcomed. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.