WBW South Devon Football League Division One Dartmouth 9, Bovey Tracey reserves 3

Dartmouth defeated second-placed Bovey Tracey Reserves at Longcross on Saturday with an excellent 9-3 victory to stay top of the league. Managers Gary Lobb and Chick Havlin made two changes to the side that lost 4-1 against East Allington on Tuesday night: Mark Sneap was recalled to the starting line-up in place of the unavailable Liam Ford, and the returning Lee Haywood deputised for Eric Thompson at the heart of the Dartmouth defence. It was the home side that started on the front foot, with the first real chance arriving after 10 minutes, with Karl Baker's volley deflecting wide off of the Bovey defender. From the resulting Mark Forrester corner, Jordan Frost wriggled free from his marker before planting a header into the corner of the net for his second goal of the season. But the visiting defender levelled five minutes later with a headed goal from a corner after confusion in the Dartmouth penalty box. It didn't affect the home players' confidence, though, and five minutes later Dartmouth restored their lead when good link-up play between left back Ryan Frost and Baker resulted in the ball being pulled perfectly for Josh Webber to tuck into the near post for his first goal since his return from Buckland Athletic. Bovey continued to look dangerous, and Sam Davies was forced into a couple of good saves to preserve the lead. The presence of forwards Dan Broadway and Baker allowed Sneap and Webber to exploit the flanks on the wide Longcross pitch, and after Forrester received the ball in midfield Broadway latched onto the ball to slam his shot under the keeper for goal number three. Freddie Smith then won the ball back in his own half before laying off to Richie Baker, who fed brother Karl with a lofted pass, the latter rounding the keeper to make it 4-1 at the break. The second half started with Dartmouth dictating. Forrester scored the hosts' fifth goal by dispatching a penalty clinically after Webber was brought down in the box, and soon after Baker and Broadway both scored in quick succession to give Dartmouth clear daylight. The home side were playing some brilliant football at this point, and on the 70th minute Jordan Frost beat the offside trap to grab himself a second goal following a floated cross into the box. Bovey refused to be humiliated and replied with a consolation to make the scoreline 8-2. Davies in the Dartmouth goal could count himself unlucky after the scuffed effort rolled beyond him into the net. Ben Greeno, Calum Ford and Chick Havlin were then sent on for the remaining 10 minutes, but it was the irrepressible Baker who unselfishly layed to Broadway for his hat trick. However, with two minutes left to play, the visitors were awarded a penalty that was struck into the far left corner, but this consolation goal would have little effect on the end scoreline as the whistle sounded to give Dartmouth the win. An eye-catching display from Dartmouth helped them regain momentum ahead of the Devon Senior cup final, which was due to take place at Coach Road on Thursday against Exwick Villa. A busy end to the season for Dartmouth sees the first team travel to Totnes to take on Dartington reserves, while the reserves host Watcombe Wanderers reserves at Longcross in their respective divisions. Both kick-off times are at 2.30pm.