SWPL EAST SG & Torbay Police 2 Ivybridge Town 3
- Details
- Last Updated on Monday, 25 October 2021 16:05
- Published on Sunday, 24 October 2021 15:29
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY
But the greens made hard work of beating a side who are bottom of the table and took the lead with their first real attack of the game in the 35th minute.
The Ivies bounced back to lead 2-1 within five minutes.
Skipper Scott Pocock levelled with a header from a Fletcher Williams free kick before Callum Merrin shot his side into a 40th minute lead following a fine run from midfield.
Ivybridge had a number of opportunities to increase their lead in the second half but were denied by a combination of missed chances and good goalkeeping.
The pressure eventually paid off, however, with Sam Ryan making it 3-1.
Stoke Gabriel fought their way back into game and reduced the arrears with five minutes remaining.
Ivybridge manager Darren Stewart said: “Stoke Gabriel may be bottom of the table, but they are an improving team and deserve credit for battling for the 90 minutes.
“We had to be on our guard to see out the final five minutes to hold on for the win.”
Ivybridge remain third in the table with 30 points from 14 games, level on points with second placed Brixham, who have five games in hand, having won their first 10 matches. League leaders Okehampton have 37 points from their 15 games.
Ivybridge face a testing time tomorrow when they visit fifth placed Torpoint, one of the form teams in the division with eight wins and one draw from their first nine league matches.
Torpoint inflicted Ivybridge’s only home league defeat, winning 2-1 when they visited Erme Valley at the beginning of September.
Stewart admitted: “Torpoint are always going to be one of the clubs to watch. They were a good team at our place early in the season.
“We know it is going to be a tough fixture. It will be up to our players to go there and play their normal game.”
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