SDFL division four

Dittisham United 4,

Ilsington Villa 1

Last weekend's visitors to Shinners Mea­dow was division four strugglers Ilsington Villa.

The Plums were looking to get back to winning ways, following the defeat against Newton Rovers the previous week.

Dittisham started the game fast and Ciaran Daniels saw a terrific volleyed effort saved well after just two minutes.

The terrific, fast-flowing football that had been on display at the meadow for most of the season appeared to be back.

The only thing lacking in the first half was the final pass for strikers Leroy Prestage and Sammy Bruckner.

Although the Greens dominated possession, it was to be the visitors who drew first blood.

A deep set-piece got caught in the wind and the usually reliable Jake Blamey saw the ball fly off the top of his head and beyond 'keeper and skipper Ross Wiliams.

The message at half time was clear, there was no need to change a thing.

The events of the first half were mirrored at the start of the second as possession was once more dominated and chances were coming thick and fast.

It took until just after the hour mark for Ditts to equalise and the goal came through Deano Marino.

He arrived late to power a header past the goalkeeper following a trademark Bla­mey long throw-in.

The home side continued to bang on the door through efforts from Kirby, Fisher, Prestage and Vicary. But finally got there noses in front via Terry woods.

The winger reacted first after a saved effort to prod the ball into the empty net.

Now Ilsing­ton had to throw men forward after defending for so long, leaving all of the Plums forwards to capitalise.

Two minutes from time the Villa centre-half attempted to head the ball away but only succeeded in finding the explosive right foot of Chris Fisher, who from fully 25 yards smashed a volley into the bottom corner before the goalkeeper had even had chance to move.

There was still time for young Redford Hog­ben to notch his first goal since returning to the area.

The little winger completed a one-two with Bruckner and found himself in acres of space 18 yards out; he calmly swept the ball into the bottom corner to seal a much-needed win as the Plums try to hang on to their promotion hopes.

This week's man-of-the-match award went to Dave Vicary, who rolled back the years to give an accomplished and disciplined display at the heart of the midfield.