SWPL EAST Ivybridge Town 7 Torrington AFC 0

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Created on Sunday, 08 October 2023 09:23

Last Updated on Monday, 09 October 2023 09:36

Published on Sunday, 08 October 2023 09:23

Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley

Table topping Ivybridge Town continued their impressive season with a comprehensive home win over Torrington in the South West Peninsula League at Erme Valley.

It was the leaders' ninth successive win in the league and extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches, including a penalty shoot-out success against Torquay United in the Devon St Luke’s Bowl.

The Ivys now have a nine-point lead over nearest rivals Bridport at the top of the East Division table, although Bridport have two games in hand, including a visit to Honiton on Wednesday evening (Oct 11).

Free scoring Ivybridge have scored 17 goals in their last three games with only one goal conceded.

Leading scorer Luke Forward opened his side’s account against Torrington in the 12^th minute and Ivybridge took control with two quickfire strikes though Jake Lane (33^rd minute) and Chris Wright (34^th minute).

Forward collected his second goal of the afternoon with a close-range effort ten minutes after the interval to bring his season’s tally to 14 from 12 games.

Then came a couple of spectacular efforts from Owen Raven (71^st minute) and Fletcher Williams (80^th minute) while Bailey Gamble wrapped up the scoring with the final kick of the game.

The victory, complete with a clean sheet, came despite Ivybridge being without central defenders Scott Pocock and Josh Zimmerman while strikers Connor Rush and Stan Lane were also sidelined.

The ever-reliable Jordan Powell captained the side in the absence of Pocock and was partnered at centre back by Curtis Legrice who switched from right-back with that vacancy being filled by midfielder Owen Raven.

Explaining the changes, joint manager Wayne Gamble said Pocock and Zimmerman were ‘nursing their wounds’ after a physical game in the 4-0 win at Bovey Tracey in midweek.

He added: “Curtis, our full back who went to centre half, is a 100 per cent and talented player while Owen did well at right back. In fact, both our full backs were phenomenal.”

Lane, on the left, has now scored five goals this season, including a couple of penalties, and Gamble says: “He will hit double figures this season. Jake is so energetic and a classy footballer.”

Dane Hewings, who has been a powerhouse for Ivybridge in midfield, picked up a fifth yellow card for a challenge and will be suspended for next Saturday’s league cup game at Stoke Gabriel.

He was replaced early in the second half by Bailey Gamble. Commenting on the booking for Hewings, manager Gamble said: “He gave us everything he has got. He puts his body on the line all over the park and is always going to pick up those cards. He bombs around the pitch because that is his game.”

Fletcher Williams, who has missed much of the season through injury, came on as a half-time substitute for Jacob Smelt and Gamble is delighted to have Williams available again, adding: “He is a regular around the club and our biggest fan. It was good to have him back in the fold today. He came on today at half-time and absolutely bossed it. He is a class act and scored a great goal. It is like a new signing for me. His quality is second to none.”

Also catching the eye in midfield was youngster Rio Daly, who earned the man of the match award with Gamble saying: “For a 16 or 17-year-old boy he is going right to the top. There were three or four clubs after him, but this is the right club for him, and he has not looked back. He is so good and has a great future in front of him.”

Now Ivybridge switch their attention to next Saturday’s Walter C Parson League Cup game at Stoke Gabriel and then have a blank week as their league game at home to Okehampton, scheduled for Saturday, October 21, has been postponed until February 24 because of Okehampton’s involvement in the FA Vase.

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