SDFL premier division

Loddiswell Athletic 1

Dartmouth recorded another victory in the league by dispatching lowly Loddiswell Athletic at Longcross on Saturday.

Due to a number of players being unavailable, managers Gary Lobb and Chick could only name one substitute, with reserve team player Charlie Smith called into the starting line-up at left wing-back.

The home team started quickest out of the blocks and began to dictate the play from the centre of midfield through Mark Forres­ter, Josh Webber and Freddie Smith, and as they have done so often this season, they grabbed an early goal to settle their nerves.

Forrester picked out Karl Baker's perfectly timed run and he outfoxed the Loddiswell 'keeper to put his team in front.

Despite taking this early lead ,the home side were squandering possession far too often, and luckily for them Ryan Walton in goal thwarted the Loddiswell winger when he looked destined to score.

Wing-backs Charlie Smith and Richie Baker looked threatening every time they re­ceived the ball, and it was the latter that broke into the penalty box before fizzing his shot just wide of the far post.

The all-important second goal arrived for the home side after 20 minutes; Webber's lofted ball found Danny Broadway, who showed great composure to finish well.

Soon after Dart­mouth grabbed their third goal of the game, with Forrester feeding the lively Karl Baker, who rounded the 'keeper to double his tally for the afternoon.

Loddiswell continued to threaten on the break, but Jordan Frost, Kurtley Hassall and Danny Asinas Mena in defence dealt with the play excellently when the ball was worked into the Dartmouth penalty area.

Just before the break Broadway doubled his own tally for the afternoon with a typically cool finish to put his team four goals in front at half time, but the hosts knew they had more to offer in the second period after a fairly lacklustre first-half performance.

Dartmouth returned looking to seal victory, and after some slick play from Broadway and Webber the ball was squared for Baker to tap in for his hat-trick.

Further goals from the clinical strike pairing of Baker and Broad­way increased the home side's lead to seven, and if it hadn't been for the inspired Loddiswell 'keeper ,the scoreline may have been extended even further.

With 20 minutes remaining Longcross legend Paul Smith made a cameo appearance from the bench, replacing the excellent Asinas Mena, and his experience helped Dartmouth to soak up the Loddiswell pressure that was being applied.

To their credit, the visitors continued to press forward in search of a way back into the game, and with 15 minutes remaining the away winger controlled the ball well in the penalty area before skipping past Walton and firing in from a tight angle for a well-deserved goal.

However, it was the clinical Baker who would have the last say when he struck powerfully past the 'keeper and into the far corner of the net to give the hosts a comprehensive victory.

With East Allington in cup action, the points ensured Dartmouth moved to the top of the league and they will hoping to continue their good run of form when they travel to Waldon Athletic in the league on Saturday.

Dartmouth reserves saw off a spirited Ashburton reserves to move into the semi-finals of the Fred Hewings cup, Rhys Morrallee and Simon Holmes scoring in a 2-1 victory.

This week they return to league action with Upton Reserves the visitors to Long­cross.

Both games start at 2:30pm.