PENINSULA PREMIER Ivybridge Town 3 Brixham AFC 2
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 18 August 2022 13:48
- Last Updated on Friday, 19 August 2022 20:20
- Published on Thursday, 18 August 2022 13:49
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
It was the fourth successive win for Ivybridge, who recovered well after trailing to a lively in-form Brixham side, who scored twice in the first 23 minutes.
The visitors took the lead with an own goal from Ryan Smith in the 18th minute when the young midfielder saw the ball rebound off him into the net after appearing to be pushed while trying to defend a corner in a crowded goalmouth.
Brixham doubled their lead five minutes later when Reece Somers scored with a fine shot after Ivybridge failed to get the ball clear following another corner.
To their credit Ivybridge responded well and Luke Forward proved a frequent threat on the left wing.
An accurate cross by Forward provided the opportunity for Lewis Dickson to pull back a goal with a smart header in the 40th minute. A foul on Forward enabled in-form Fletcher Williams to equalise with a free kick four minutes later.
In the second half Ivybridge stepped up the pressure and a well worked move in the 74th minute ended with Forward hitting a deserved winner with a superbly struck shot.
The victory might have been even more convincing but for some fine saves by Grant Fisher in the Brixham goal.
Al Briffa, deputising for Ivybridge manager Darren Stewart, admitted that after a promising start, his side allowed Brixham to get more into the game, commenting: “I don’t think we worked hard enough. We were not passing the ball like we normally do. There were some big gaps and we gave them too much space to play the ball.
“The lads knew they had not played to their potential. We talked about doing the basics and keeping more possession of the ball.”
Briffa felt the first goal from Lewis Dickson was important for Ivybridge, saying: “Lewis was there at the right moment and that gave us a bit of inspiration. It gave us something to work on. From then our passing was good, our marking was good, and we wanted it that little bit more.
“In the second half we grew into the game more, got momentum and we could have won by three or four goals because we had a number of chances.”
New signing midfielder Steve Rogers came on as substitute for the final quarter of an hour and Briffa said: “He got into good positions where he sprayed the ball around. He had a very good debut and I hope to see him progress.”
Next up for Ivybridge will be a visit to Okehampton Argyle on Saturday.
Pacesetters Okehampton slipped to third in the table after suffering their first defeat in four games, losing 2-0 at Newton Abbot Spurs on Tuesday.
Briffa is looking forward to the game but warns: “Okehampton will be like a wounded animal after that defeat and will be looking to get the three points. I am expecting a good, close game.”
SWSN Star Fletcher Williams (again)
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