SDFL Division Five

Dittisham United 12,

Ashburton AFC reserves 3

 

After a dip in form lately, the Mighty Plums were back to winning ways with back-to-back wins against Ashburton AFC.

The first was a 6-3 away win on the previous Wednesday, in which the scorers were Bruckner (three), Fisher, Copeman and Dean Nettleton.

For the ssecond, the Plums were still without captain Martyn, but welcomed Hogbin and Passmore back to the fold with Dittisham looking to continue their press for promotion. 

After a delay to the start of the game, Ditts set about their task and started the brighter. It didn't take long for the hosts to open their account when a pin-point through-ball from Blamey found Bruckner, who hit a rasping effort from all of 20 yards.

This set the tone for much of the match and soon after Bruckner doubled Ditts advantage after some good work from Fisher, giving him his 35th goal of the season.

Next it was Redford Hogbin's turn to get in on the action as the talented youngster was on hand to finish the first of his hat-trick after a driving run down the right flank.

Within 20 minutes Ditts were four to the good when Bruckner rounded the 'keeper after a through-ball from Rowdon. 

The goals just kept coming for the Plums and they found themselves 5-0 up within 25 minutes when Fisher ran into the Ashburton box and hit a stunning effort into the bottom corner, leaving the 'keeper no chance.

Redford extended the lead when he was on hand to finish a fantastic team goal that was worked from defence to attack with nearly every player touching the ball.

Just before the interval Bruckner further extended Dittisham's advantage with a close range finish after some good work from Hogbin.  

The interval came with Ditts already 7 to the good and the message from manager Rowden was to stay concentrated and keep pressing the opposition as goal difference could be important at the end of the season. 

 Despite the words at half-time the team seemed to lose a little focus and started to let the visitors retain some possession and put pressure on the so far untroubled back line of Bastin, Collett, Blamey and 'keeper Darch.

Ten minutes in Ditts did put themselves further ahead when a great run and shot from Fisher was parried and Bruckner was on hand to finish from close range. 

Ditts then lost their way a little as the game was sealed and Ashburton continued to battle away.

They got their reward when a long clearance was not dealt with by Ditts and an Ashburton forward got in and finished.

Ditts struck back almost instantaneously through Hogbin as he finished a sweeping move and completed his hat-trick.

Joe Kirby then got the first of an impressive brace as he hit a curling effort into the far corner.

Ashburton hit back again when Ditts committed too many players forward to an attacking set piece and the opposition broke away and converted the chance.

The calming influence on the back line of Dittisham veteran Mark Riley wasn't enough to stop an Ashburton counter-attack as they scored their third goal of the game.  

A mazy run from Joe Kirby completed the scoring and saw him beat three men on his way into the box and finish.

A good dominant performance from Dittisham, but nothing more than expected against a struggling Division Five team.

With tougher games to come the Mighty Plums will be looking to continue this form and clinch promotion.