SDFL premier division

Upton Athletic 0, Dartmouth AFC 4

Third-placed Dart­mouth AFC picked up an impressive three points away at Upton Athletic to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

Manager Mark For­rester decided to rest himself in the only change to the team that won last time out, handing new signing Danny Broadway his first start in his second spell at the club.

Dartmouth knew they were in for a tough game against opposition that drew with top of the table Watcombe Wanderers in their last game, and the fast start that For­rester asked for from his players brought about the first goal of the afternoon.

A sustained passage of possession from the away side resulted in Ben Greeno feeding the ball to wide man Josh Webber, in a good position. He took a touch before smashing the ball underneath the reach of the Upton ‘keeper from 20 yards out to give his side the lead inside five minutes.

Looking for a quick response, the home team knocked the ball around confidently and began to find pockets of space between the Dart­mouth defence and midfield.

However, under the guidance of captain Liam McAuley, the visitors worked hard to prevent their opponents from testing re­turning ‘keeper Ryan Walton.

Despite not seeing as much of the ball as the hosts, Dartmouth looked the more likely to grab the second goal and they doubled their advantage with 15 minutes on the clock.

A pin-point Webber corner saw Broadway leap highest, and his header was superbly nodded into the net by young winger Charlie Smith for his second goal of the season.

Upton continued to push men forward as the half wore on, but they couldn’t find a way past Danny Rushe and Jordan Frost, who have formed an excellent partnership at the heart of Dartmouth’s defence.

Quick thinking at the front post by Ryan Frost denied the Upton striker a certain goal after a clever corner routine caught Dart­mouth off guard, ensuring the visitors kept their two-goal winning margin intact going into half time.

Dartmouth were good value for the lead and they emerged from the break looking for the all-important third goal, and it was Karl Baker who added his name to the scoresheet to really deflate Upton.

A crossfield ball into the penalty area found Broadway, who su­perbly chested into the path of striker partner Baker, who didn’t have to break stride before dispatching his half-volley beyond the reach of the Upton ‘keeper.

Walton was called into action as the home striker found space in the penalty area, reacting well to close the angle and push a fierce shot around the post.

Determined to keep their first clean sheet since the opening game of the season, the young Dartmouth de­fence continued to make good decisions in the right areas.

They saw their team round off what was a perfect away performance with 10 minutes remaining.

Right-back Freddie Smith and McAuley linked up before the latter played the ball in behind the Upton defence for Broadway to smash in across the ‘keeper from a tight angle to mark his return to the club with a deserved goal.

Sixteen-year-old Solley Metchette’s fresh legs helped Dartmouth to run the clock down and hand Dartmouth an excellent three points that more than pleased the away supporters and manager Forrester.

The man of the match was awarded to Danny Rushe.

The first team will be hoping to progress into the last 16 of the Herald Cup this Saturday when they face Waldon Athletic for the second time this season. Kick-off in Torquay is 2pm.