Herald Cup

Waldon Athletic 3,

Dartmouth AFC 1

Dartmouth AFC were defeated for the first time this season after a disappointing 3-1 loss to Waldon Ath­letic in the Herald Cup.

Due to a number of absentees, including top goalscorer Karl Baker, Dartmouth travelled with the bare 11 players and were forced to make two changes to the team that beat Upton in their last game.

That said, the visitors made a good enough start to proceedings, with Ryan Frost and Josh Webber linking up well on the left-hand side to feed lone striker Danny Broadway without really creating any opportunities to test the Waldon ‘keeper.

As the half wore on Waldon began to im­pose themselves on the game, but the first goal of the afternoon arrived against the run of the play.

Good play from Freddie Smith and Charlie Smith forced Dartmouth’s first corner of the afternoon, Webber’s delivery found Danny Rushe unmarked from 12 yards and he duly planted his header into the back of the net for his first Dartmouth goal.

The away side knew they had to defend well for the next 10 minutes and take the sting out of what was becoming a feisty encounter, but a long ball upfield was latched on to by the Waldon striker, who slotted in past ‘keeper Steve Leaman to bring the scores level.

Five minutes later the home side deser­vedly took the lead when a ball was slotted between Rushe and Jordan Frost in the Dartmouth defence for the same Waldon player to dispatch past the outstretched arm of Leaman.

Dartmouth returned from the half-time break determined to get back into the game. with the midfield trio of Mark Forrester, Liam McAuley and Charlie Smith looking to stamp their authority on the match.

A Broadway strike from the outside of the box tested the hands of the home ‘keeper but shortly afterwards Waldon extended their lead. A midfield runner was not tracked and he was allowed the time and the space to fiercely lash beyond Leaman to give the hosts a healthy two-goal ad­vantage.

Dartmouth changed their formation and pushed more men forward as they looked to avoid a repeat of last year’s Herald Cup de­feat to the same opposition, but it was the home team who continued to create the better chances as Dartmouth were left frustrated by some resolute defending.

The nearest they came to reducing the deficit was through goalscorer Rushe when he found himself un­marked in the area, but his volley from a For­rester set-piece went just wide of the post.

Leaman was called into action to prevent Waldon from adding to their lead, twice denying the home striker a hat-trick.

Webber and youngster Solley Metchette were left frustrated by some more clever de­fending as they struggled to put the ball into the danger area and the whistle sounded to hand the home team a deserved victory.

Dartmouth could have no complaints about the result after a disappointing display and Forrester and Adam Kerswell will be looking for a response from their team away at Plymouth Marjons in the last 32 of the Devon Premier Cup this weekend. Kick-off is at 2pm.