SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 7 Torrington AFC 2

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Created on Monday, 29 August 2022 15:23

Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 August 2022 15:29

Published on Monday, 29 August 2022 15:23

Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley

A HAT-TRICK by striker Jordan Ewing helped Premier East leaders Ivybridge Town continue their spectacular start to the South West Peninsula League season with a 7-2 home victory over Torrington on Saturday.

Ivybridge have won all six matches and are the only club in the East with a 100 per cent record.

Despite being without some first-choice players through injuries, illness and holidays, Ivybridge dominated long periods of the game with some attractive and effective football.

Ewing opened the scoring with a close range shot after only three minutes and winger Luke Forward drove home a second in the 12^th minute.

Josh Zimmerman, who had another impressive game at central defence, came forward to score with a powerful header from a corner in the 23^rd minute while Ewing made it 4-0 with a shot a couple of minutes before half-time.

Ivybridge continued to make the running in the second half with a foul on the dangerous Forward in the 52^nd minute resulting in Ewing converting the penalty for his fifth goal of the season.

With a comfortable lead, Ivybridge took the opportunity to make some substitutions with club captain Scott Pocock returning to the heart of defence after recovering from a knee injury.

Torrington got back into the game for a period and Josh Parsons reduced their arrears with a good shot in the 67th minute while Dan Wilson added another with a penalty after being fouled in the 75^th minute.

Ivybridge quickly regained control, however, and finished strongly with midfielder Ryan Smith scoring with an accurate shot in the 85^th minute. It was just reward for the impressive youngster, who linked well in midfield with recent signing Steve Rogers.

To complete the scoring, Pocock celebrated his return to action by heading in a cross from Forward in the 87^th minute.

Ivybridge manager Darren Stewart praised his side’s performance: “It was a good win. Playing in the hot weather is energy sapping but we got our heads down and did enough to win the game.

“We had a few players missing which gave other players an opportunity to come in. We were totally dominant. I am not sure if we were that good or if Torrington were having an off-day.”

Regarding the brief period in the second half when Torrington hit back with a couple of goals, Stewart commented: “We talked at half time about keeping the intensity going and I thought 10 or 15 minutes of the second half was a good spell. But we made a couple of substitutions and started getting bad habits. Their goal was a testimony to that. We took too many touches in midfield, got robbed and they got behind us and scored. Then, shortly afterwards, we gave away a penalty.

“To be fair to Torrington, they had a good five or ten minutes when they got behind us and got some crosses in. We had to regain our composure and finished the game really well.”

Regarding the Ivybridge substitutions, Stewart explained: “A couple of the substitutions were forced. Jake Lane (left back) and Josh Zimmerman were both feeling their hamstrings, which are problem areas for them. Being five up gave us the opportunity to make those changes. We got Scott Pocock back on to the pitch after injury and he got a good 20 to 25 minutes.”

Ivybridge now have two more home games with Newton Abbot Spurs due at Erme Valley on Wednesday evening (Aug 31) followed by second in the table Axminster Town on Saturday (Sept 3).

Axminster have won five of their six games, dropping a couple of points with a 1-1 draw at home to Elmore.

Stewart has watched both sides in recent matches and says: “From what I have seen this season they are probably the two strong sides in the league. If we can come through those two games with decent points we will be in a really good position.

“They are games we are really looking forward to and there should be decent crowds here.”

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