WESTERN PREMIER Ivybridge Town 3 Bridgwater Town 0
- Details
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 09:56
- Published on Sunday, 12 October 2025 13:10
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
Striker Kai Burrell broke the deadlock in the 58th minute following a meandering solo run and added a second goal four minutes later with a cracking volley to celebrate his 21st birthday in style.
Also on target with a fine finish and his first goal for the Ivies was teenager Chris Menear, who came on as an 83rd minute substitute and scored in the sixth of 11 stoppage time minutes.
Ivybridge joint managers Ben Washam and Brad Gargett took satisfaction from their team’s overall performance with Gargett commenting: “Our finishing today was outstanding.”
On Burrell’s double strike, he added: “Kai has (only) had around 13 games at this level since coming up from Plymouth and District football.”
There was also praise for newcomer Menear: “He is a lad who is 18 years old, finishing the game off against a really good, well established Western League team.
“We have had our eye on him and signed him two weeks ago from St Blazey. We look at players and how they can fit into our style regardless of age.”
Apart from the impressive attacking play which brought the three second-half goals, this was a solid all-round performance achieved without injured leading scorer Dan Tate.
Washam said: “Every player contributed to that win today with our captain Sam Hillson important in central defence alongside Joe Cook. In fact, the whole back four were solid.”
Another plus for Ivybridge is the return of fit-again full back James Forrest, settling back into the side after being out for six weeks with an early-season injury.
After a disappointing home start, Ivybridge are now finding form at Erme Valley following a 1-0 success against Brislington in their previous home fixture.
Gargett says: “We have a young group who are blending together and getting used to playing on our pitch.”
Ivybridge hope to maintain improved home form as they now have a run of five successive Erme Valley fixtures.
Next up are Totton and Eling in the FA Vase first round on Saturday. Totton are bottom of Wessex One with only one win in their first nine league matches.
Ivybridge then host Peninsula East side Cullompton Rangers in the Devon St Luke's Bowl second round on Tuesday October 21 and in-form Torpoint Athletic in the Les Phillips League Cup first round on Wednesday October 29.
In the Western Prem, Ivybridge host Bradford Town on Saturday October 25 and league leaders Clevedon Town on Saturday November 1.
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