SDFL

Premier Division

Dartmouth AFC 4,

Brixham AFC

reserves 0

Dartmouth AFC consolidated second position in the league with a hard fought 4-0 victory over Brixham AFC reserves at Longcross.

Manager Mark Forrester made one change to the side that defeated Stoke Gabriel reserves last time out as Richie Baker returned to the starting line-up in place of Lee Fenner, who was carrying a knock.

Dartmouth made a positive start to the game and came close to opening the scoring when wing-back Freddie Smith was fed the ball 18 yards from goal, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Despite seeing a lot of the ball, the home side failed to carve open the resolute Brix­ham defence until a long ball downfield brought the first goal of the game.

There were 20 minutes on the clock when Richie Baker picked out the run of Josh Webber with a sublime 50-yard through ball, and the winger maintained his good goal-scoring re­cord by lashing across the ‘keeper and into the corner of the net.

The visitors responded well and dominated the ball for the next 10 minutes, with Dart­mouth ‘keeper Ryan Walton called into action to deny his former team after the Brixham striker broke free inside the penalty area.

A series of corners and balls into the Dartmouth box were well defended and they finished the half on the front foot by creating more good opportunities.

First wing-back Freddie Smith should have scored but chose to unselfishly lay the ball to Richie Baker, who couldn’t quite connect with the ball, before Karl Baker was denied from close range after good play in the middle from Char­lie Smith and Ben Greeno.

However, the second goal of the afternoon arrived five minutes before half time to put Dartmouth in a commanding position go­ing into the interval.

Sheridan Gagg received the ball in the middle of midfield and picked out the run of striker Karl Baker, and he cut back on to his favoured left foot to smash in underneath the Brixham ‘keeper.

The hosts returned from the break looking to extend their margin of victory and came close to doing so when striker Baker was again denied by a fine save.

Paul O’Shaughnessy, Danny Rushe and Ollie Woolland were all having another solid game at the heart of the Dart­mouth defence, reducing their opponents to long-range efforts that rarely troubled Walton in between the sticks.

More good possession around the Brix­ham penalty area failed to lead to many clear-cut chances, but Dart­mouth were finally re­warded for their resili­ence and all but sealed the three points with 20 minutes left to play.

A Gagg cross into the area fell kindly to the feet of Greeno, and he picked out the corner of the net with a well-controlled volley.

Jordan Frost and Fenner were introduced with 15 minutes left to play, and it was the latter who was heavily involved in Dartmouth’s fourth and final goal of the game.

Fenner picked out the run of Karl Baker with a perfectly weighted through ball, and he controlled the ball well before clipping his effort into the top corner via the aid of the crossbar. This was Baker’s 30th goal of another impressive season.

The home side re­mained disciplined to keep another clean sheet, and this result ensured they remain unbeaten in the league after 12 games.

Dartmouth are currently second in the league and trail top team Watcombe Wan­derers by three points, with Watcombe having played more games.

This week the first team are in cup action as they face Ivybridge Town reserves in the quarter-finals of the George Belli Cup. The game, at Longcross, is scheduled to kick off at 2pm.