SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 6 Honiton Town 1
- Details
- Created on Sunday, 01 October 2023 10:40
- Last Updated on Tuesday, 03 October 2023 10:50
- Published on Sunday, 01 October 2023 10:40
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
Ivys made the perfect start, taking the lead with a goal from Jacob Smelt in the second minute.
However, Honiton stuck to their task and equalised ten minutes later when Kyle Howell broke away on the right and sent in a goalbound effort which skimmed off the head of defender Josh Zimmerman out of the reach of goalkeeper Tyler Coombes.
Coombes was deputising in the Ivybridge goal for Kane Gregory, who was unavailable, and went on to make a couple of important saves.
Despite the disappointment of being pegged back so quickly, Ivybridge regained control and restored their lead in the 37th minute when Jack Alexander scored after good attacking play on the left by Jake Lane.
Ivybridge impressed with some lively attacking play in the second half but failed to find the finishing touch until the closing stages when they grabbed four late goals.
Jake Lane converted an 81st minute penalty following a foul on striker Connor Rush, a second half substitute for Stan Lane.
Then Alexander was rewarded for a hard-working afternoon when he scored his second goal of the game in the 88th minute after combining effectively with Rush.
Referee Steve McCulloch allowed an additional eight minutes and Ivybridge took full advantage with two further goals.
Substitute Bailey Mabin drove in his fifth of the season in the fifth added minute and skipper Scott Pocock completed the scoring with the last kick of the game.
Despite the convincing scoreline and their tenth win in 11 league matches Ivybridge joint manager Lance Bailey was not completely satisfied with the performance, admitting that it felt strange to be disappointed after a 6-1 win.
He explained: “We set our standards so high that, on the ball, we needed to keep it a bit longer and be a bit more patient, which we try and get the boys to do.
“Teams are coming to press us and work hard the first 20 minutes or half an hour, and we have just got to work out how to play against that.
“We made a few subs and what we are finding is that the subs are making a huge impact when they are coming on. We brought on Bailey Mabin and he settled us down and took his goal very well, which is something he does.”
Regarding the inclusion of Tyler Coombes in place of Kane Gregory, Bailey said: “Kane is a huge presence for us but Tyler is very good for a younger lad. He has come in today and his distribution on the ball is great for us along with his handling and shot stopping so we have no problem with Tyler. He is excellent cover for Kane.
“Tyler has been injured for a long time and is now on the bench for Buckland (who play in the premier division of the Western League) and they have kindly let us use him to get a few minutes and help us out. So, for all three parties, it is really good.”
Ivybridge now travel to Bovey Tracey on Wednesday evening (Oct 4) and face another home match on Saturday (Oct 7) with a visit from Torrington.
Being a midweek game at Bovey Tracey, Ivybridge are aware that Bovey have the opportunity to boost their squad with players from different leagues.
Bailey says: “We know it is going to be a tough game for us but we go into every game knowing that, and we are going to set ourselves up and go for the win.”
Meanwhile, Ivybridge have been rewarded for their midweek win over Torquay United in the Devon St Luke’s Cup with another plumb home tie.
They will meet Plymouth Parkway in the second round on Wednesday November 8 and that is a tie with particular appeal to Bailey.
He says: “Parkway is very close to my heart because I played there for many years. It is impressive the things they have gone on to do. We will look forward and, hopefully, strive to be like Parkway.
“They have gone on and done huge things. I have utmost respect for them but, when it comes to that game, we will try to beat them.”
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