SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 1 Teignmouth AFC 1

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Created on Sunday, 26 February 2023 12:04

Last Updated on Monday, 27 February 2023 13:35

Published on Sunday, 26 February 2023 12:04

Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley

THERE were mixed feelings after Ivybridge were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Teignmouth in the South West Peninsula League on Saturday.

Ivies manager Darren Stewart said: “I thought the performance was really good today and a point is not a bad result in the grand scheme of things against a half decent Teignmouth side, but it is not good enough for us.”

Stewart was reflecting on the breakdown of merger talks between the Peninsula and Western Leagues, which would have seen the top four teams in the Peninsula East Division playing at a higher level next season. Now it will just be the top team.

“The goalposts have moved with regards to what we have to achieve this season,” said Stewart.

“Top spot is the only way that we are going to go up so, instead of being eight or nine points clear in fourth spot, we are now chasing Brixham, who have dropped the least amount of points.”

Brixham are currently in third place with 55 points from 23 games while Ivybridge are fourth with 53 points from 25 games.

Stewart added: “We have got to take the shackles off and approach every game and go for a win.”

In fact, it was Teignmouth who opened the scoring with a header from Ashley Donohue in the 34^th minute, but Ivybridge hit back through Fletcher Williams eight minutes into the second half.

Despite looking the more dangerous side, Ivybridge were unable to find a winner as they continue to lack the finishing touch in front of goal.

They have scored only six goals in six games since winning 5-2 away to Torridgeside at the beginning of December. Those six games have produced only two wins.

Stewart admitted: “We got in some good areas but not scoring enough goals and not scoring at the right times has been our Achilles heel since Christmas.

“I think we had enough good situations and enough opportunities to have won comfortably.

“We said at half-time that we needed more quality on the ball. We got in over 20 crosses in the first half. They weren’t just hopeful punts into the box. It was getting behind the defence and putting good balls in.

“Our movement was not good enough. Not getting enough people in the box, the ball not breaking to us. We did not capitalise on the amount of good situations we got in.

“I thought Teignmouth really tired in the second half and when we got back to one-one I could only see one winner.”

Unfortunately, striker Connor Rush was injured in the 75^th minute and Ivybridge were forced to re-organise.

Stewart said: “It was unfortunate for him and in the context of the game it just broke the game up. We never really maintained that same momentum for the last 15 or 20 minutes and just could not force a winner.”

It was a blow for Rush, who suffered a long-term knee injury in a pre-season friendly win at Saltash last July.

Stewart explained: “Connor was brilliant during pre-season before he got injured. He has been training for the last six weeks and we have been giving him minutes where we could.

“Today was his first start and, ironically. he was probably just a few minutes away from coming off. At first the injury looked really serious. He twisted his knee but at the moment we are hoping it is not so serious. We have just got to wait and see what this week holds for him.

“I am really gutted for him. He has worked so hard to get himself back and get himself fit. He always gives 100 per cent and is the sort of player who does pop up with a goal, which we have been lacking in the last three or four months.”

Ivybridge now face a double header against Sidmouth with an away clash on Saturday (March 4) followed by the return at Erme Valley the following Saturday (March 11).

“We have just got to keep picking up points and put as much pressure on the teams above us now to try and get into that top spot,” says Stewart.

“It is going to take a mammoth run from us, and we also need teams to drop points.

“Sidmouth are probably one of the most improved teams as the season has gone on, so we have two tough games over the next two weeks.”

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