Newton Spurs U16s 2

AFC U16s 2

Dartmouth travelled to the Rec in Newton Abbot for their first match of 2015, but at the final whistle there was little to celebrate thanks to some dubious decisions.

The first half was a real spectacle, with both sides playing their part in a highly entertaining affair, although it was the young Darts who created the clear-cut chances.

Following some sustained pressure, the deadlock was eventually broken in the 19th minute when Brad Wil­liams controlled well on the edge the box before cutting inside to unleash a thumping drive into the top corner.

The opening goal really got the visitors going, but they squandered a few opportunities to extend the ad­vantage.

Tom Matthews hit the side netting from a tight angle, then Archie Irvine saw a header disallowed for a push in the box.

Cameron Webb then took up possession inside the area and dribbled past two defenders and the on-rushing 'keeper, only to drag his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Jamie Burrows and Solley Metchette also saw chances go begging and the score remained 1-0 at the break.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half were all one-way traffic and within seconds of the restart Webb collected a pass from Williams and hit a rocket that was heading for the top corner only to see a wonderful fingertip save from the impressive Spurs keeper deny him.

The lead was extended soon after, however, when a corner caused havoc in the Newton six-yard box and Irvine put pressure on a Spurs defender, who could only prod the ball in to his own net.

It was an even affair for a long period afterwards, with neither team causing the 'keepers much in the way of saves to make.

With 15 minutes to go Spurs were gifted a way back into the match when a mistake in the Darts defence allowed a striker to roll the ball into the empty net from outside the box.

Within minutes Dartmouth had a great chance to regain the two-goal cushion when a superb through ball allowed Connor Elliott to race in on goal.

The striker pushed the ball past the ad­vancing keeper, who sent him sprawling for what seemed a stone wall penalty.

To the amazement of everyone inside the ground, the referee didn't award the spot-kick.

This wasn't to be the last major talking point of the match, and in the fourth minute of injury time, Spurs earned themselves a corner.

The ball was swung over and after a bit of pinball inside the six-yard box, a shot was smothered on the goal-line by Darts 'keeper Aaron Morrison, only for the referee to judge that he saw the ball cross the line and awarded an equaliser to the home team.

Within seconds of the restart, the final whistle sounded to end the match and the be­mused Dartmouth players trudged off wondering how and why they were not celebrating the three points.

This week Dart­mouth play host to KM United at Longcross, looking to bounce back to winning ways; kick-off is at 11am.