SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 5 Sidmouth Town AFC 1
- Details
- Created on Monday, 06 December 2021 05:19
- Last Updated on Monday, 06 December 2021 06:28
- Published on Monday, 06 December 2021 05:19
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
The result looked comfortable but Ivybridge were indebted to goalkeeper Kane Gregory, who pulled off his second penalty save in successive matches when he kept out a spot kick from Will Jenkins in the 20th minute.
That saw Ivybridge renew their focus following a brief period of sloppy play and their efforts were rewarded with goals from Luke Forward (35th min) and Sam Ryan (38).
Second half goals followed through Fletcher Williams (60), recent signing Owen Raven, making his first starting appearance (73) and substitute Connor Rush (78).
Sidmouth had a late consolation when Jenkins scored with his second penalty attempt of the afternoon in the 86th minute. By then the Ivies were home and dry.
The win saw Ivybridge close to within two points of league leaders Okehampton, whose fixture fell victim to the weather. Ivybridge remain in third place, however, as second placed Ottery St Mary, who are one point ahead, won 2-1 at home to Holsworthy.
Ivies manager Darren Stewart admitted it was touch and go whether the game went ahead, adding: “Fair play to the club, they made every effort to get the pitch playable.”
Commenting on his side’s performance, Stewart said: “We were always in control. We started really well and for the first five or 10 minutes we looked really bright. We got to the bye line three or four times but did not convert. Then, after 15 minutes, we had a really sloppy spell and conceded a penalty which we thought was very soft at the time. But Kane Gregory pulled out a good save.
“It was his second penalty save in two games and kept the scores level. That gave us a kick start. We looked quite comfortable for the remainder of the half and scored a couple of good goals.
“In the second half we changed the shape a little bit and played forward a bit quicker than we did in the first half and scored some good goals. Without being fantastic, I thought when we did apply ourselves and did things correctly we looked good.
“At times we took our foot off the pedal and became a bit sloppy, which allowed them to get a few half chances, but we were delighted to get the three points.”
The four-goal margin of victory was a welcome boost to the goal difference column with Stewart adding: “It is getting quite tight now. Torpoint and Brixham are a little way ahead (in terms of points gained from games played) but the next four or five sides are now in a little cluster, us being one of them.
“I think it is going to be a close finish in those top four or five places. We have beaten good sides in the league by one goal and we have also beaten teams that are struggling down the bottom of the table by one goal. We need to impose a bit more authority and win games a little bit more comfortably. To win today by four goals definitely helps us with that.”
Stewart was also pleased to see the five goals coming from five different players adding: “You don’t want to rely on goals from one area of the pitch so to score five goals with three of those coming from midfield is great.”
Ivybridge have another home game next Saturday (Dec 11) when Axminster visit Erme Valley two weeks after the sides drew 1-1 at Tiger Way.
Stewart says: “We will get the lads in for training on Wednesday. There are a few things we need to work on from the Sidmouth game. We know it is going to be a tough game. Axminster are a good physical side, but we felt we should have come away with the three points when we played there.
“The weather forecast is not looking great so it will be a soft, heavy pitch. It is going to be a difficult game and we will have to be at our best to get the three points.”
SWSN Star Kane Gregory
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.