DEVON ST LUKE'S BOWL Ivybridge 2 Torquay Utd 2
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 26 September 2023 22:41
- Last Updated on Friday, 29 September 2023 10:45
- Published on Tuesday, 26 September 2023 22:41
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
Ivybridge battled back from a 1-0 interval deficit to take a 2-1 lead before Torquay equalised in the closing stages.
That took the game to penalties in which Jake Lane, Fletcher Williams, Jacob Smelt and Bailey Mabin were all on target for Ivybridge while goalkeeper Kane Gregory pulled off a couple of vital saves from Torquay’s five spot kicks.
Torquay skipper Ryan Hanson opened the scoring following a free kick just before the interval.
Ivybridge equalised after the break with Smelt delivering an accurate corner that defender Dan Martin could only help into his own net.
Then came sub Bailey Gamble’s brilliant effort from over 25 yards before Torquay’s Luke Pearce hit the equaliser that took the tie into a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
Ivybridge joint manager Wayne Gamble said: “The boys deserve all the plaudits tonight. After going 1-0 down against a very good side like Torquay, the way they came back was phenomenal.
“I told them at half-time ‘don’t be satisfied at losing 1-0 against Torquay’ because we had been that good.
“We went out and dominated in the second half and deserved to win it outright. It was a great goal by Bailey from 25-30 yards on his left foot, which is his weak foot by the way.”
Ivybridge were without defenders Scott Pocock and Jordan Powell along with attackers Chris Wright and Stan Lane while Owen Raven and James Fuller were also ruled out.
Gamble explained that with skipper Pocock unavailable, vice-captain Powell was set to lead the team out but then pulled out with an injury in the warm-up.
“That is six players who were missing but sometimes it makes you stronger as a tight knit squad,” said Gamble.
“The lads that got the opportunity tonight are all in competition for places and the boys that came in did the job.”
Ivybridge changed their formation from the usual 4-3-3 to operate with a sweeper.
Gamble said: “We asked the lads to play a new formation against a pro club and had two lads who have never played wing back in their life, but they are fit boys.”
Curtis Legrice, who usually plays at right back, operated in the sweeper role and won the man of the match award.
Gamble explained: “Curtis was on another planet. He was top drawer tonight.”
Regarding the penalty shoot-out, Gamble added: “When it went to penalties, we had Kane Gregory in goal so you always have a chance, but our penalty takers were cool, calm and collected.”
Ivybridge return to league action on Saturday with a home fixture against Honiton.
They will be without Gregory, who is unavailable and also misses next Wednesday’s trip to Bovey Tracey, so Ben Elphick will take over in goal.
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