SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 1 Bovey Tracey AFC 1
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 23 August 2023 22:52
- Last Updated on Thursday, 24 August 2023 13:08
- Published on Wednesday, 23 August 2023 22:52
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
Ivybridge shaded a keenly contested first half without producing the necessary finishing touch in front of goal while Bovey started brightly after the break.
Whenever Bovey threatened, Ivybridge remained resolute at the back with skipper Scott Pocock outstanding at central defence.
New signing Bailey Mabin looked to have snatched the winner for Ivybridge with a tremendous shot from outside the penalty area in the 89th minute – just 10 minutes after coming on as substitute.
The visitors grabbed a share of the spoils when Neil Last got the last touch following a goalmouth scramble in the fifth of six minutes of stoppage time.
Ivybridge joint manager Wayne Gamble admitted that conceding the last gasp equaliser felt like a defeat.
But he added: “All credit to Bovey. They never gave up. They had their chances although I think, overall, we probably shaded them. I thought we were the better side on the night.”
Gamble reckoned Ivybridge could have had the game wrapped up at half-time.
He was impressed with the contribution of Mabin, who previously played for him at Mount Gould, adding: “He played against our reserve team the other day.
“He came on at half-time and scored four goals, so we gave him a chance on the bench tonight. The way the game way it was going I felt we needed his class on the field. That’s what he pops up and does.
“He is still of a good age at 25 years old. He lost his way a little bit but, looking at that tonight, and scoring in front of all these fans will probably give him a little lift and say this is the standard he should be playing at. He has that little twinkle in his eye and, hopefully, he will go from there.
“His goal deserved to be the winner, but we could not hold on. Their goalkeeper (Dom Aplin) was fantastic; he held everything.”
Reflecting on the loss of two home points, Gamble said his players will lick their wounds and prepare for their next game, at home to Stoke Gabriel on Saturday.
“We can’t be too downhearted as it was against a very good Bovey Tracey side.
“They have got some very good players and will be up there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
“It feels like a loss at the moment, but we will go again on Saturday against Stoke Gabriel.”
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