SDFL premier division

Dartmouth AFC 3,

Watcombe Wanderers 1

Dartmouth became the first team ever to do the league double over Watcombe Wanderers as they recorded an excellent 3-1 victory at Longcross in their penultimate league game of the season.

All but three of Dartmouth's starting eleven were under the age of 22, signifying a bright future for the club, and it was one of these youngsters who came close to opening the lead.

The lively Josh Web­ber broke free down the left-hand side and his fierce drive went agonisingly wide of the far post.

Mark Forrester, Charlie Smith and Ben Greeno were controlling the play in the middle of midfield, with Smith looking particularly dangerous with his runs from deep and positive forward play.

Twenty minutes had arrived on the clock and it was the hosts who deservedly took the lead. Webber continued to cause havoc out wide, and his de­flected cross fell to the feet of Greeno, who lashed home with conviction to put his side 1-0 to the good.

Watcombe had rarely threatened the home goal throughout the half, but they passed up a glorious opportunity to equalise when a loose ball at the back post was somehow diverted wide of the goal from four yards.

Dartmouth were good value for their lead and were playing some good football in tricky conditions, and with Jordan Frost and Ollie Woolland limiting the dangerous Wat­combe striker to a few half-chances they looked likely to see their lead through to the interval.

However, against the run of play, the visitors levelled on the stroke of half time when a set-piece was headed into the net from the penalty spot to leave Dart­mouth frustrated at what had been a brilliant first-half display.

This was the home side's last home league game of the campaign and they returned from the dressing room in the same vein, putting in a very disciplined and hard-working performance.

Dartmouth continued to work the ball well around the midfield to lone striker Liam McAuley, but struggled to carve out any real, clear-cut goal scoring opportunities.

On the hour mark the away side were given a glorious chance to take the lead in a close-fought contest, but Ryan Walton in the home goal produced another fine save from the penalty spot to keep the scores at 1-1.

Five minutes later Dartmouth made their opponents pay for this miss; Webber and Greeno combined once again for the latter to strike in for his second goal of the game.

The hosts continued to push forward in search for the killer third goal, with Freddie and Charlie Smith both trying their luck.

Dartmouth's defence held firm and they sealed an excellent victory when the superb Webber rightly got his name on the scoresheet when he guided Forrester's through ball into the corner of the net.

These three points gave Dartmouth a realistic chance of finishing in a credible position in the league behind Buckland Athletic reserves and Wat­combe.

They played their final game of the season on Tuesday away at East Allington, knowing a win would guarantee them at least a third-placed finish. This they secured in some style, recording a 0-4 victory and seal an impressive finish

Dartmouth reserves lost 2-1 at Bishop­steignton United after defeating Upton Ath­letic Reserves two days beforehand, with Ed Armi­tage reducing the scores in the second half.

The reserve team have four games remaining in division three, all at home, with the first of these against Waldon Athletic thirds this Saturday. Kick-off at Longcross is at 2.30pm.