NEIL Last’s early brace set the tone on Saturday as Bovey Tracey cruised to a 5-0 win at Dartmouth in the Walter C Parson League Cup.
Will Allen grabbed a third for the Moorlanders in the first half before youngsters Ollie Dowell and Tom Burt added a goal each late on.
Last nudged the travelling side in front after just six minutes when he connected with Cliff Walters’ cross into the area – the resulting header looping high over Dartmouth stopper Jimmy Weeks and into the net.
Barely five minutes later the Bovey midfielder scored his and Bovey’s second of the afternoon. A corner from the away side caused all sorts of problems for Dartmouth and when Allen’s fierce strike was blocked, Last was on hand to rifle home the loose ball.
With 20 minutes game Bovey made it three when Dartmouth were once again guilty of failing to clear their lines – Allen this time the beneficiary as he hammered home from just inside the area.
Darts attacker Brad Frost had a header held fairly comfortably by Dom Aplin just after the half-hour mark as the shell-shocked hosts looked for a route back into the game.
But moments later it was Bovey who came close again, Last breaking free and dragging past the far post when a pass to Ollie Aplin was perhaps the better option.
Youngsters prove their worth
The home side were more composed after half-time but found themselves unable to really trouble Aplin between the Bovey sticks.
The best of their chances came with just over an hour gone when Alfie Slough looked certain to reduce the arrears – but instead poked a tame effort straight at the advancing Aplin.
Bovey boss Will Small would then ring the changes and unload his youthful-looking substitutes bench, a move which laid the foundations for his side’s final two goals.
Eight minutes from time a low Burt corner was turned home by 18-year-old Dowell for his first Bovey goal on his second appearance for the club.
Then provider turned scorer in the second minute of added time when Burt weaved his way through a sea of tired legs before firing past Weeks at his near post to round off the scoring.
‘Much better performance’ – Small
Having suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Teignmouth in the Peninsula Premier East last weekend, Bovey manager Small was pleased that his side had bounced back so emphatically.
‘It was a much petter performance today,’ Small admitted at full-time. ‘Right from the warm-up the lads were at it.
‘Everyone wanted to make amends for last weekend and we’ve done that. We controlled the game, stayed nice and bright, and once we got that first goal we never looked like conceding.’
And he added: ‘There was some good movement for the first three goals with midfielders arriving in the box at the right time. The lads carried out the game plan perfectly on that.
‘And then the two young lads who came on and scored the fourth and fifth could probably start in most sides.
‘Doweller is new to men’s football and adapting to it really well, while Burty has that brilliant pace, delivery and shot which has helped him set one up and score one. It was great for those lads.’
The draw for the last 16 of the Walter C Parson League Cup is due to take place on Tuesday night as Bovey prepare for a huge week of fixtures.
First Brixham visit Mill Marsh Park on Wednesday night [7.30pm], before attentions turn to the FA Vase First Round Proper tie at home to Ivybridge Town on Saturday afternoon (3pm).