Belli Cup Waldon Ath V Dartmouth AFC 31st Jan 2015

[Dave]

George Belli Cup

Waldon Athletic V Dartmouth AFC

Saturday 31st January 2015 Kick-Off 2pm

Venue Windmill Hill Torquay

Match Referee Peter Gartrell

Final Score Waldon Athletic 4 Dartmouth AFC 3

By the time 4pm came this afternoon, I asked myself what was I doing at my age, standing out in the freezing cold watching a football match. By 4.30pm the mighty Waldon Athletic made me so glad that I did. I witnessed one of the best displays from a team who simply were not prepared to be beaten and a team who battled against all the odds right to the very end of the match. Waldon got their just rewards and if Dartmouth had won the match, then Waldon would have been well and truly robbed.

The pitch had some puddles on it and became very boggy as they game wore on, this game was never going to be pretty, but Waldon were the best team and played the best football. Yet they ended up having to chase the game for most of it and the referee did not help their causes. I do not like to moan about referees in my match reports, but I felt Peter Gartrell was a bit to book happy and played a big part in Dartmouth’s third goal and denied Waldon a stone wall penalty that would have got them back onto level terms in the second half.

Waldon made the much better start but went behind against the run of play when Freddie Smith hit a fine shot from the edge of the Waldon box that flew into the back of the net. Dartmouth were looking to play the long ball when ever possible and one such ball played in Karl Baker on a one on one with the Waldon keeper Kitson Glenville. Kitson made a fine save diving down at the feet of Karl Baker winning the ball in the process.

But the next long ball over the top played in Karl Baker again and this time he made no mistake as he put his side two goals up. Waldon kept working hard and managed to pull one goal back before the break. A good cross from the right hand side was played towards the left hand post where Jake Grinstall had a made a good run too and he fired the ball home from close range.


That was it for the first half and Waldon came out for the second half so determined to get back onto level terms and they only had to wait twelve minutes to do so. The ball was played into the Dartmouth box from the right hand side and Liam McKendrock managed to get to it before the keeper and get it over him into the back of the net.

Waldon completely dominated the second half but could not find that winning goal and it was Dartmouth who nearly snatched it at the end of normal time. Their number nine Charlie Smith got on the end of a great cross, but headed the ball over the crossbar when he looked certain to score.


So extra time it was again in a cup match for Waldon up on Windmill Hill and once again I had to forget all the thoughts I had of getting back in my car and getting that heater on full blast.

Not sure what game the referee was watching at this stage as we entered into extra time. He let one incident go where an arm was clearly thrown towards the face of a Waldon player and seconds later awarded a free kick to Dartmouth. From the resulting free kick Dartmouth’s Charlie Smith put his side back into the lead.

Waldon again upped their game should have been awarded a penalty in the second period of extra time. Sevvi Rielly had two arms put on him and pulled off the ball after he had made a good run with the ball into the Dartmouth box. How could Peter Gartrell not award Waldon a penalty kick? Maybe he was also feeling the cold and was dreaming of getting back in his car and getting the heater on.

The clock was ticking down and it looked like daylight robbery was about to happen for Waldon, but with just seconds left of extra time they got back onto level terms. A great finish by the left hand post from Thomas Pennicotte.

Dartmouth restarted the match and it very much looked like the game was going to be decided on penalties, but almost instantly the ball was deep in the Dartmouth half and my man of the match Sevvi Rielly put in a great cross from the left hand side towards the rear post where Brian Doughty was waiting to head the ball home.

A great game to watch and a great display from a team who fully deserved to be in the next round of the George Belli cup. A big well done Waldon you are proving every week why you are one of the best sides playing in the South Devon League.