SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 1 Okehampton Argyle 1

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Created on Sunday, 16 April 2023 11:32

Last Updated on Tuesday, 18 April 2023 06:02

Published on Sunday, 16 April 2023 11:32

Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley

A LAST gasp penalty by Fletcher Williams (pictured) enabled Ivybridge Town to rescue a point with a 1-1 draw at home to Okehampton in the South West Peninsula League.

It needed a half-time pep talk from manager Darren Stewart to spark some life into the Ivybridge side after a below par first half in which they were fortunate to escape with a single goal deficit at the interval.

The Ivies were indebted to goalkeeper Kane Gregory who pulled off a number of fine saves to deny the visitors until the 43rd minute when Brad Ausden finally broke the deadlock.

It was a different story in the second half as Ivybridge stepped up the pressure but suffered through their lack of fire power in front of goal.

It was not until the sixth minute of added time that Lewis Dickson had an effort palmed away by defender Tyler Dawe.

Referee Lee Roberts responded by producing the red card for Dawe and pointing to the penalty spot while Williams calmly kept his nerve before confidently powering his spot kick past goalkeeper Aaron Dearing.

The equaliser was no more than Ivybridge deserved for a dramatically improved second half display.

Manager Stewart admitted: “We were really disappointed with the first half, and it was probably as stern a half-time team talk as I have given for a long time.

“The main focus of the talk really was do everything a bit quicker and show a bit of desire to go and win the game.

“The situation is changing with regard to the management next season and some of the players looked as if they had downed tools already. So I pricked their conscience a little bit at half-time and had a really good response.

“Even if we had lost that game today, I think my talk at the end would have been very similar. We showed a bit of fight, a bit of passion and a desire to get back into the game. To get a last-minute penalty capped a good comeback for us.”

Stewart praised Williams for his confidence with the penalty after being given a different role during the game to compensate for the absence of suspended players Owen Raven and Ryan Smith.

“With suspensions and injuries we had to shuffle the pack a little bit. Fletch played in a deeper role for us and showed some good quality. The penalty was virtually the last kick of the game. Their goalkeeper is one of the best in the league and he had a good game, so it was not a foregone conclusion but Fletch has buried the penalty confidently to finish off a good second half for us.”

Ivybridge complete their home fixtures on Wednesday April 19 with a visit from Honiton to Erme Valley (1930ko) and will be looking for a win to keep alive their hopes of a top four Premier East finish.

Stewart says: “There are teams with games in hand behind us so we have just got to pick up as many points as we can in the final three games.”

Wednesday’s fixture will leave Ivybridge with two away games to complete their season: visits to Bridport on Saturday (April 22) and Teignmouth on Thursday April 27 (1830ko).

Ivybridge opened the season with a 1-0 home win over Bridport and Stewart says: “They will be a lot different from when we played them in the first game of the season.

“They have had a change of management and if they take their current form into next season they will challenge for a top four or five position. They have picked up some really good results and are hard to beat.

“It will be a very difficult game for us but, on the day, we can beat anyone in this league and we should have a half decent squad so we can go up there and do the business.”

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