SDPL.Kingskerswell & Chelston V Dartmouth 1st Nov 2014

[Dave]

South Devon League Premier Division .Kingskerswell & Chelston V Dartmouth AFC

Saturday 1st November 2014

Venue Armada Park Torquay Kick-Off 2.30pm

Referee Paul Allen

Final score Kingskerswell & Chelston 0 Dartmouth AFC 4

This was a game I marked down to watch as soon as the fixtures came out for the South Devon league. After reading a number of reports on some of the Dartmouth games, I was half expecting to write a report about some bad Behavior from some of the Dartmouth players. But they all behaved and got on and just played their football, it’s a shame that after the game one of the Kingskerswell & Chelston players decided to have a go at the referee.

Ok before I go any further I will state I know today’s referee personally, Paul Allen is a lovely man and did a first class job in a game that was always going to be fiercely contested. He kept the game flowing and never let it get out of control. He was fair to both sides and not one decision he made, had any outcome on the final result.

He booked four Dartmouth players who all deserved to be booked, but did not book one single Kingskerswell & Chelston player. Paul is someone who can be approached after a game,but just like anyone else, he does not like being shouted at.I was unaware that Ashley Edwards was having words with Paul, the first I knew anything was wrong was when I heard the Kingskerswell & Chelston manager shouting very loudly at Paul. As Paul walked across the pitch he told me he was reporting the person for his behavior after the match, I just assumed he was talking about the manager.

Paul then made his way to the dressing room only for Ashley Edwards to come over for seconds, once again Paul tried to explain that he can be talked too, but for his efforts he was treated to some disgusting four letter words. Paul said to me that was it for him and I would not blame him if he did give up refereeing at this level. But what a shame if he did as this league would lose another top referee and just who is going to replace all the refs who had had enough of the abuse they get subjected too.

Yes football is a passionate game and we would not want it any other way, but the fact is Kingskerswell & Chelston were well beaten today by a better side and while most of their players accepted defeat gracefully, some clearly were unable to do that.

I have heard about Karl Baker, but he just got on and played his game and had a good one. I have heard about Dan Broadway, he also had a good game and played with a big smile on his face for most of it. Yes this Dartmouth side are a good side and have many very good players, they will be at or very near the top come the end of the season.

Kingskerswell & Chelston just about managed to put out a side today, they started the game much better than Dartmouth and were on top for a while without really creating any good scoring opportunities. Dartmouth’s first goal was in my view against the run of play, but was very well taken by Karl Baker. He made a good run into the left hand side of the box and when the ball was played to him he hit a sweet shot across the keeper and into the far right and corner of the goal.

Dan Broadway came close to getting a second goal for Dartmouth but had to stand and watch his header go just over the crossbar. Dartmouth then went down to ten men for a while and I did feel a bit sorry for their player that walked off the pitch. Rich Baker was constantly being moaned at from his manager on the sidelines and he just lost his temper and took off his shirt and boots. The referee did come over and book him for leaving the field and it looked like there was no way he was going to return. But thankfully after a chat he calmed down and went onto have a very good game for his side.

It did not take Dan Broadway to long to get on the score sheet, he is a big strong lad who knows where the goal is, He was played into the box and made no mistake from 10 yards from the goalmouth. It was just after the second goal that Rich Baker came back onto the pitch.

The Kingskerswell & Chelston players were working hard enough but were not able to really find their front men and could have no complaints at the break being two goals behind.

Onto the second half and Dartmouth’s Dan Drury did well out on the left had side of the pitch beating his man and sending in a good low hard cross to the back post where Dan Broadway had run too and he made no mistake from close in.

Dartmouth could have scored more goals as the half wore on but Dan Broadway was to get his very well deserved hat trick after once again being just to strong on the ball for his opponent. He held off a strong challenge on the edge of the box and then took the ball around the Kerswell keeper Ashley Grimes before rolling the ball into the back of the now empty net.

Paul Allen then blew up for the end of the match and I was just putting my camera away when all hell broke loose. Such a shame as I’m sure Paul Edwards is a very fine man who cares very deeply about his football club. Likewise I’m sure Ashley is a decent young man but I’m sorry referees should not be spoken to the way Paul was today.