SDFL division four

Meadowbrook 0,

Dittisham United 4

After an indifferent start to the season for the Plums, Saturday was a chance to improve on their single point gained in a hard fought 1-1 draw against local rivals Salcombe the previous week.

The Plums still had a number of key players out for the trip to Meadowbrook, including Copeman, Fisher and Collett, but Plums welcomed new signing Colin Rowden back to the fold between the sticks, and veteran Mark Riley made his first appearance since last season at the heart of the Dittisham defence. 

Ditts started this game slowly, with the team seeming to find it hard to adapt to the larger, and well maintained pitch at Meadowbrook.

The opposition offered little as an attacking threat but were strong and organised and for the first 25 minutes the Plums found it hard to break them down. This was until 25 minutes in, when Tommy Rowdon scored the first of his impressive hat-trick.

After a quick one-two with Hogbin, Bruckner passed inside to Rowdon who, with one touch, skinned two defenders with ease and buried his shot past the highly skilled but helpless opposition 'keeper.

After the opening goal, and with a slight formation change, the Plums were in the driving seat as they made all the play and had further chances to extend their lead. Nevertheless, the half time whistle went with Ditts only having the one goal slender lead.

Dittisham started the second half in the same vein they finished the first, with all early pressure coming from the visitors.

It took a matter of minutes for Rowdon to grab his second when he latched on to a Bruckner through-ball and doubled the Plums advantage.

The Plums defence of Passmore, Bastin, Martyn, and Riley were relatively untroubled throughout the match.

Blamey was yet again impervious in his midfield role as he time after time broke up Meadowbrook's play and distributed the ball faultlessly. 

New signing Vicary thought he'd opened his Dittisham account when strike partner Bruckner found him with a first-time cross that Vicary made no mistake in firing past the 'keeper, only to turn and see a dubious decision from the opposition linesman cancelling out the goal.

Ditts did further extend their lead soon after when Rowdon completed his hat-trick.

After a quick one-two with Blamey, Bruckner slipped a ball through to Rowdon, who yet again showed his finishing prowess by coolly slotting the ball into the bottom corner. 

Ditts continued to press and they got their rewards through captain Dean Martyn.

After a succession of corners taken by man-of-the-match Hogbin, Martyn was on hand to finish from two yards with a deft touch that completely wrong-footed the 'keeper and trickled into the net.

Overall a much better performance from the Plums, with the team slowly gelling together and gearing up for a competitive season in division four. 

Tonight Dittisham face a tough away test in the Herald Cup against Dartmouth AFC.