Devon Premier Cup

Plymouth Marjons 3,

Dartmouth AFC 3 (aet)

Plymouth Marjons win 5-3 on penalties

Dartmouth AFC bowed out of the Devon Premier Cup after losing 5-3 on penalties to Plymouth Marjons.

Ollie Woolland made his first appearance of the season for the Darts at centre back in a 3-5-2 formation, replacing winger Charlie Smith. Dartmouth made a fast start, taking the lead after five minutes courtesy of midfielder Liam McAuley.

Wing back Freddie Smith exchanged passes with Dan Broadway before pulling back to McAuley, and his effort deflected in over the head of the ’keeper to give the visitors a deserved lead.

The same three players combined again after good play in midfield from the energetic Ben Greeno, and it was lone striker Broadway who came close to doubling the lead after his effort was blocked on the line.

Dartmouth continued to exploit the wings, forcing Marjons onto the back foot.

A second Dartmouth goal was inevitable, and it came on 20 minutes. A Mark Forrester corner was played into the danger area towards Broadway, and an instinctive touch from central defender Jordan Frost diverted the ball into the net from close range.

The home side looked for a way back into the match, but found returning ’keeper Ryan Walton in good form as he dealt well with a ­couple of good efforts. Against the run of play, though, Marjons found a way back when the home striker found space in the area before dispatching past Walton on the half hour.

This didn’t deter Dart­mouth, who continued to look the more threatening. Good vision from midfielder Josh Webber found Smith in acres of space out wide; he cut inside from the touchline before seeing his shot deflected onto the crossbar and away to safety.

The last action of the half saw Greeno come close to glancing home a Ryan Frost delivery, but they passed up an even better opportunity five minutes into the second period. Smith was knocked over in the penalty area after a good run into the box from the right-hand side, but the reliable McAuley lashed his spot kick against the face of the crossbar.

Ten minutes later they were made to pay for this miss when the Marjons’ striker cut into the box before placing his effort beyond Walton to level the score at 2-2.

Despite creating a number of excellent goal-scoring opportunities, the visitors couldn’t quite find the ­winning goal that would have merited their performance, and so the game went into extra time. The away side pushed for the lead and went ahead once more in the 100th minute. Danny Rushe, who was outstanding throughout, met a delightful Forrester cross with a firm header to score his second goal in as many games.

The visitors defended ­resolutely for the rest of extra time and looked as if they were going to book their place in the next round, but Marjons were not done and levelled the game with five minutes left to play.

It appeared that Forrester’s corner crept over the line in the 120th minute to hand his side the win, but a controversial decision to not give Dartmouth the goal meant it was left to the ­lottery of a penalty shoot-out to decide who would progress into the last 16.

Unfortunately for the away side, the Plymouth team edged the shoot-out

5-3 to leave Dartmouth ­frustrated after dominating the majority of the game.

Forrester and Adam Kerswell will be hoping for more luck this weekend when their side return to league action against Stoke Gabriel reserves. Kick-off at Longcross is at 2.30pm.