Fred Hewings Cup
Roselands seconds 3
Dartmouth AFC seconds 4
Dartmouth AFC travelled to Paignton College to take on a Roselands side who knew how to play the artificial 3G pitch well, making this an evenly matched tie despite the hosts being a division below them.
The opening exchanges were pleasing for the Darts, as they kept possession and moved the ball quickly, putting the home side on the back foot.
The first real chance came when Will Kenny played in strike partner Teddy Armitage, who felt he was being pulled back inside the area as he looked to pull the trigger.
The referee wasn’t convinced and the opportunity was gone.
Roselands then went extremely close to scoring themselves when a free header from a corner came crashing back off the crossbar.
With 27 minutes gone, the deadlock was eventually broken when a headed clearance from Chris Collett was flicked on brilliantly by Armitage, allowing Kenny to race clear of the home defence before coolly firing into the bottom corner of the net.
The lead didn’t last too long and the Darts didn’t learn their lesson as another Roselands corner was met by a header, which this time beat Carl Hoare to make the score 1-1.
The first-half scoring was completed in stoppage time when a Dartmouth corner was swung over by James Lee, sent back across goal by Jack Berry and flicked home by Joe Kirby for his second goal of the season. Early in the second half, the lead was extended when a free-kick from Scott McRoy was met at the far post by Berry, who was left unmarked to score his first of the season.
The big centre-half was having an outstanding game, winning every header and tackle he went for and he’d also have the final say later on in the match.
The deficit was soon reduced, however, when the ball broke to a Roselands player on the edge of the area and his low shot flew past Hoare for 2-3.
In the closing stages of normal time Dartmouth had a couple of chances to put the result beyond the hosts.
Nick Rushe hit the post with a fierce drive from a tight angle, then turned provider as he crossed for Rhys Morrallee, whose goal-bound shot was blocked on the goal-line by a defender.
The near-misses would prove costly for Dartmouth, who couldn’t believe it when in injury time, the referee awarded a penalty to Roselands for handball, despite Kirby being flattened inside his own area before falling on to the ball.
The spot-kick was just about dispatched under the dive of Hoare and the game went to extra time.
The first period was a stalemate but the second was defined by two pivotal moments of brilliance and fortunately for Dartmouth, they came from two of their players.
With six minutes remaining Darts ‘keeper Hoare made a wonderful double save to prevent a cup upset, which allowed his team to take victory in the game with three minutes to go.
Another excellent free-kick from McRoy was whipped to the far post and in came Berry to cap his hugely impressive performance with a delightful right-footed volley that flew high into the roof of the net to make the final score 4-3 to the visitors.
Dartmouth AFC man of the match was Jack Berry.
It’s another away cup game for the Darts this week, when they travel to Liverton United in the second round of the Devon Intermediate Cup.
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