SDFL division one Dartmouth 4, Newton Abbot 66 2

After their match against Abbotskerwell was postponed due to the visitors not being able to field a side, Dartmouth knew four more points from their remaining three games would be enough to claim the league title. Up against bogey side Newton 66 for the third time this season, the hosts knew a tricky game was in store, but managed to walk away victorious with a 4-2 win at Longcross. Under windy conditions, Dartmouth managers Gary Lobb and Chick Havlin reverted to a straightforward 4-4-2 formation. This saw brothers Karl and Richie Baker return to the starting line-up and new signing Frazier Clark start his first game for the club at the heart of the defence. The game began with Dartmouth sustaining long periods of possession without really threatening, despite some confident runs forward from full-backs Ryan Frost and Richie Baker. In the 20th minute Dartmouth finally created a clear sighting at goal after Freddie Smith's pull-back found Frost, but his drive went agonisingly over the bar. Josh Webber was introduced for Liam Ford soon after, and his pace began to cause the visitors all sorts of problems. Down the other end of the pitch, Clark and Jordan Frost continued to show composure on the ball, and after Dartmouth played their way out of defence, Baker was clearly tripped to give the hosts a 30th-minute penalty kick. Up stepped captain Mark Forrester, and he kept his nerve to send the 'keeper the wrong way to give Dartmouth the lead. A series of quick counter-attacks from the visitors ensured the hosts were kept on their guard, but goalkeeper Sam Davies showed safe hands to to deal with a dangerous floated cross. Five minutes before the interval a wind-assisted cross from Forrester fell kindly to the feet of Baker, who tapped in to the net to give the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead. Within 10 minutes of the second half restarting, a clever piece of skill from Broadway led to Baker beating the offside trap, where he duly converted with confidence to give Dartmouth clear breathing space. Soon after, Baker claimed his hat-trick after a quick free kick was returned to his feet before being expertly lashed into the net from 20 yards. However, it must be said that the battling 66 players more than held their own in an entertaining game, and a quick-fire double brought the scores back to 4-2 with 15 minutes remaining. Dartmouth didn't appear to regain the level of intensity on the ball that saw them take a comprehensive four-goal lead, and they had to rely on the impressive Davies to make two excellent saves to prevent a nervy finish to the match. The whistle sounded to give Dartmouth the win, which they just about deserved over the course of 90 minutes. The firsts were due to play Chudleigh Athletic on Wednesday night, where a point would see them claim top spot and promotion to the premier division. Dartmouth reserves were without a game on Saturday, but recorded a fine 5-1 victory on Thursday, May 8, against Paignton Villa reserves. A Neil Prettyjohns strike and four from the prolific Lee Prestage extended Dartmouth's unbeaten run to six games, and they will be hoping for another three points this weekend when they host Ilsington Villa at Longcross on Saturday. Kick-off is at 2:30pm.