LANCE WORTHINGTON was able to celebrate victory in his first game in sole charge of Dartmouth as they beat Elburton Villa 4-3 on the opening Saturday of the season at Longcross.
"I know it's an old cliche but this was a game of two halves," explained the Darts boss after his side had kick-started their season at the first time of asking.
"We started sharply, which was something I drilled into the lads in the close season, and we got our early reward," he added, referring to the Darts taking a 10th minute lead.
John Barrow's precise cross, from out wide on the right, found the head of central defender Richie Hammett and he powered the ball into the visiting net from six yards.
The Darts needed another 10 minutes to break through again after being awarded a free-kick in their own half, from which Sam Churchill launched the ball forward.
The Elburton defence failed to deal with the ball, leaving Shane Shobbrook to celebrate his debut by heading past Villa goalkeeper Dean Smith from six yards.
The points looked to be in the bag on the half-hour as 18-year- old Jake Ellis released Shobbrook, who turned his marker on the edge handbags u of the area before firing in a shot that was deflected past Smith by the onrushing Churchill.
Darts keeper Nathan Murphy was a virtual spectator for most of the first half and his first real job was to pick the ball out of the back of the net after Villa had been awarded a 40th minute penalty.
Jason Trott was bundled over by Stuart Rickard for Paul Baker to confidently convert the spot-kick and put his side back into the game.
Elburton brought on the imposing Ryan Williams up front and it was the visitors who proceeded to take the second half mantle.
They had reduced the deficit to just one goal on the hour when Stevie Weekes brought down Baker in the area, and the Villa striker converted his second spot-kick of the game.
Dartmouth were now firmly on the back foot, and the scores were level five minutes later as Williams took on the home defence before firing low past Murphy from 18 yards.
Worthington proceeded to change things around by bringing on the influential Dan Griffiths for Rob Fricker.
Five minutes from time the substitute played a neat one-two with Churchill before round Smith and slotting home the winning goal into an empty net.
. BUCKLAND Athletic were made to work hard for their opening victory of the season as they began the defence of their title with a 2-1 victory at Pennygillam over a determined Launceston outfit.
The closeness of the final scoreline suggested a struggle for the Bucks but assistant manager Jamie Carwardine was convinced the word 'struggle' did not apply to this game.
"I would not look at the result as a struggle, just as a competitive game in which our quality and professionalism shone through in the end," he said.
"Launceston are a good side who are very well organised, work hard and they will cause a few upsets this season.
"It was an important start for us to get three points on the board, as we lost at Launceston last season and that was our last league defeat, so already we are points up on the last campaign.
"It's an awkward game out of the way and one thing you do at your peril in this league is to underestimate any
Other articles:
http://www.saxmusic.net/Blog/View/?2496
http://xsdfghkl.bokee.com/viewdiary.225124062.html