SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 0 Holsworthy AFC 0

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Created on Saturday, 08 October 2022 17:51

Last Updated on Saturday, 08 October 2022 17:51

Published on Saturday, 08 October 2022 17:51

Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley

LACK of the necessary finishing touch proved costly for Premier East pacesetters Ivybridge Town against Holsworthy on Saturday.

It was the first draw of the season for Ivybridge and came following the disappointing 2-0 midweek defeat at South West Peninsula League title rivals Brixham.

Ivybridge enjoyed their share of the play but failed to take advantage of the scoring opportunities that came their way.

Ivies manager Darren Stewart admitted: “It was a really bad result for us today with two valuable points lost, especially with other teams around us dropping points. We missed the opportunity to extend our lead at the top of the table.

“Fair play to Holsworthy, who worked really hard for 90 minutes and also had a couple of chances themselves.

“We lacked a little bit of conviction in the final third and missed some really good chances to clinch the points.

“We had enough good opportunities to get the three points but it just did not happen. A couple of players who were getting in good positions, making things happen and scoring goals three or four games ago have gone off the boil a little bit.”

Ivybridge were without leading scorer Jordan Ewing, who was unavailable, while influential left back Jake Lane missed out because of a hamstring injury but both players are expected to be ready for tomorrow's visit to Newton Abbot Spurs.

Stewart said: “We had a couple of players out who will be back on Tuesday which will make a massive difference to the make-up of the team. Jordan is back on Tuesday and Jake warmed up today with no reaction to his hamstring so he will come back into it as well.

“We need to get a reaction and get three points on Tuesday night. Newton Abbot are a good side and it is really tough up there.

“We won our first eight league games, but this league is tough and we have got to stop this little blip. Hopefully, on Tuesday we can start turning things around again.”

Following Tuesday’s game Ivybridge face two cup fixtures with visits to Launceston in the Walter C Parson League Cup on Saturday October 15 and Bovey Tracey in the FA Vase on Saturday October 22.

Asked if those cup competitions are a distraction to the league campaign, Stewart commented: “It depends on the situation leading up to the cup games. If you are on a good league run you want to keep the league games going but if you are having a couple of indifferent results then the cup is a nice distraction.

“We are still in three cup competitions. You are always going to put a team out to try and win these cup games, but our priority is the league and we need to keep the momentum going.”

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