Loddiswell Reserves 3 Dartmouth 3rds 3
(Lodds won 9-8 on pens AET)
Saturday 16th January 2010- FRED HEWINGS CUP 3rd ROUND

Having not played for over a month and lining up against opposition from a higher Division, Loddiswell Reserves could have been forgiven for using this Fred Hewings 3rd Round tie as a great way to get some match fitness before their crucial League Cup tie next week. However, with only ten minutes gone the home side were well on there way to taking a second Division Three scalp as they lead Dartmouth 3rds 2-0.

Lodds first came when Dan Hardy floated in a corner from the right, this was initially cleared back out to Hardy who control the ball before firing in a fierce shot through the crowded box and into the back of the net. More pressure followed with Andy Edmonds and Adam Sherring, returning from injury, linking up well to cause the Dartmouth defence all sorts of problems. Wingers Dan Hardy and Rob Tapper were also finding some joy down the flanks and it was from a Dan Hardy cross that the second goal was finally scored by Adam Sherring.

It was at this point, only ten minutes in to the game, that the hosts took their foot off the pedal and allowed Dartmouth back in to the match. Dartmouth's number 10 was causing the back four of Rowe, Elliott, George and Rogers some headaches and it was he who scored the visitors first. Latching on to a ball over the top, Loddiswell 'keeper Richard Teague looked favourite to clear the danger, but a nasty bounce of the uneven turf saw the ball go over Teague giving Dartmouth's No.10 an easy goal.

Only moments later confusion in the Loddiswell box from a corner gifted Dartmouth their second, they were now well and truly back in the game. The Green's then lost central midfielder Sean Raymont with an ankle injury, which saw Rogers move into midfield, Hardy back to left back and Dom Farleigh coming on at left midfield. The reshuffle worked in Lodds favour as Farleigh linked up well with Edmonds and Sherring to put pressure back on the Darts 'keeper. With a little luck Farleigh would have added his name to the score sheet when his shot from outside the box narrowly missed the target with the 'keeper rooted.

The Green's third finally came when Phil George got his head to a corner to take the home team into half time 3-2 up. The second half saw Dartmouth score early on to make it 3-3 and from that moment on the rest of the 90 minutes passed by without either side really testing each others 'keeper. The best chance probably falling to Edmonds who blazed the ball over the bar with only minutes left before extra time.

During extra time Chris Guard, who had been brought on to add some more fire power, ran from deep to latch on to a perfect through ball from Tim Stathers to score Lodds fourth goal, only to see the off-side flag raised. Lodds thought they'd scored again when the ball appeared to cross line from a corner, however, the same linesman failed to see this also.

During the extra period the hosts lost Phil George to another ankle injury, which saw Mark Stacey take to the field.

With the extra period over the teams lined up for penalties and as the rain lashed down it was Loddiswell's Richard Teague who eventually came out on top, saving two of the Dartmouth penalties to ensure the Fourth Division side's route to the next round of the Fred Hewings Cup.