ST LUKE'S BOWL Ivybridge Town 7 Torridgeside 0
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 06 November 2024 23:49
- Last Updated on Friday, 08 November 2024 13:03
- Published on Wednesday, 06 November 2024 23:49
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
Ivybridge took command with an impressive spell which brought four goals in 10 minutes early in the game.
Sean Thomson opened the scoring with a cracking shot in the 14th minute. Then some pressure from Ivybridge forced the South West Peninsula visitors into a defensive error which provided the opportunity for Pritchard to steer the ball into an open goal four minutes later.
Ivybridge continued to look dangerous and some excellent work on the left by Thomson saw him create an opening for Colin Pritchard to add a third goal in the 21st minute.
Owen Pritchard rounded off the sequence of four goals in 10 minutes when he scored with a shot in the 24th minute.
The first half scoring was completed in the 33rd minute when Ivybridge were awarded a penalty. Although Ollie Aplin had his spot kick saved by visiting goalkeeper Aiden Craker, the striker followed up to hammer the rebound home.
The second period was a quieter affair, but Owen Pritchard took the opportunity to complete his hat-trick with an angled shot in the 61st minute while Bailey Mabin completed the scoring four minutes from the end when he lobbed Craker.
Overall, it was a welcome win for Ivybridge with their highest score of the season plus the bonus of keeping a clean sheet despite being without captain and central defender Scott Pocock (unavailable).
Fellow defender Sam Hillson led the side Pocock’s absence while Josh Zimmerman turned in a sound performance at the heart of the defence. Also encouraging for Ivybridge was the return to action of defender Jordan Powell, who came on as a second half substitute after being sidelined by a lengthy injury spell.
Ivybridge have a blank day on Saturday followed by two successive home games in the Western Premier. The Ivies host Brislington on Saturday November 16 while Nailsea visit Erme Valley on Saturday November 23.
Ivybridge joint manager Wayne Gamble was delighted to see the side return to winning ways following last week's 3-0 league defeat at Oldland Abbotonians.
He described the Saturday performance as ‘completely unacceptable’, adding: “Everyone had a bit of a dressing down after that loss.”
Commenting on the win over Torridgeside, Gamble said: “We showed our authority all over the park from minute one.”
There was additional praise for midfielder Jake Smelt, who turned in a man of the match performance with Gamble explaining: “Jake bossed the midfield throughout.”
While enthusing over his own side’s excellent display, Gamble had a word of sympathy for Torridgeside, who faced a 140-mile round trip from North Devon for a midweek game.
He said: “It couldn’t have been nice with for them with that long journey on a Wednesday evening.”
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