SDFL division one Totnes and Dartington reserves 1, Dartmouth AFC 12

After their cup final against Exwick Villa was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, a fresh Dartmouth side made the short trip to 10th-placed Totnes and Dartington reserves. They travelled knowing only a win would keep them at the summit of division one. The visitors were without a number of regular players, including the prolific Karl Baker, and so Richard Yeo was called into the starting line-up from the reserves and player manager Chick Havlin was one of two substitutes. Without any changing facilities at the ground preparation wasn't ideal, but Dartmouth began to impose themselves on the match from the first whistle. The hosts frustrated the visitors during the early stages, but central defender Jordan Frost came close to opening the scoring when his header rebounded back off the post. However, they weren't to be denied their 96th league goal of the season for too long; lone striker Dan Broadway picked out Josh Webber with a pinpoint cross who duly smashed in for his second goal in as many games. Dartmouth soon doubled their lead when a bursting run forward from Webber resulted in Liam Ford picking up the lose ball before lashing a fine drive across the home goalkeeper. The visitors continued to torment the depleted Totnes side, and a Mark Forrester cross to the back post saw Broadway time his run perfectly to glance a header into the net for goal number three. Soon after the home side had a glorious opportunity to level, but the striker agonisingly chipped the ball over the crossbar after a lapse in concentration in the Dartmouth defence. However, Forrester soon got himself on the scoresheet with a sweetly-struck volley after Webber again fed the ball into a dangerous area. Dartmouth thought they had their fifth goal just before half-time, but Freddie Smith's curling effort was not adjudged to have crossed the line. The visitors returned from the break with the evergreen Havlin replacing Ford in midfield, but it was Totnes who kept the game alive when a 25-yard chip flew beyond Sam Davies before nestling into the top corner. However, the visitors soon restored their four-goal cushion when Forrester converted from the penalty spot after Scott Mcroy was brought down in the box. Five minutes later Mcroy rounded off a brilliant solo run with a delicate finish into the net, before Broadway tucked away from close range for his second goal of the game and Dartmouth's seventh. Totnes continued to battle for every ball, but were getting outplayed by their opponents in all areas and they made the scores 8-1 courtesy of another clinical Mcroy finish. Smith then scored his first league goal of the season with a curling shot from outside of the area, before Broadway scored arguably the goal of the game when his venomous shot caught the 'keeper off guard for another hat-trick. Mcroy then completed his own hat-trick after more good play from Webber, and with five minutes remaining Broadway unselfishly laid off to Webber for Dartmouth's 12. Havlin then almost put the icing on the cake, but his fierce drive was well parried by the courageous Totnes 'keeper. This convincing win keeps Dartmouth at the top of the table, and they now only need 10 points from their remaining four league games to guarantee top spot and promotion to the premier division. Dartmouth reserves were the first team to take points from Watcombe Wanderers reserves this season, as they held their second placed opponents 0-0. Dartmouth firsts were due to face Abbotskerwell at home on Wednesday, and this Saturday host Newton 66 in the league at Longcross. Kick-off is at 2.30pm. The reserves faced Paignton Villa reserves on Thursday night but are without a game this weekend.