SWPL EAST Champions intend to end season in style
- Details
- Last Updated on Thursday, 18 April 2024 10:42
- Published on Thursday, 18 April 2024 07:26
- Written by GRAHAM HAMBLY at Erme Valley
Champions Ivybridge Town intend to finish the South West Peninsula League season on a strong note having wrapped up the East Division.They made that clear as they romped to a 7-0 home victory over Bishops Lydeard at Erme Valley on Tuesday. Tonight the Ivys host fifth-placed Okehampton Argyle (1930ko).
Ivybridge were applauded on to the pitch by Tuesday's visitors and then demonstrated their intent, racing into a three-goal lead in nine minutes.
Sean Thomson opened the scoring after only three minutes, Jack Alexander drove home the second in the sixth minute with player of the match Bailey Mabin making it 3-0.
The result was never in doubt from that stage as Ivybridge went on to complete a quick fire double over their visitors, having won 2-0 away against the Bishops 10 days earlier.
Alexander brought his season’s tally to 16 goals with a cracking shot in the 28th minute and Mabin grabbed his second of the game in first half stoppage time.
Connor Rush hit another in the 65th minute, 11 minutes after coming on as substitute, before leading scorer Luke Forward wrapped up the victory with his 22nd goal of the season in the 78th minute.
Ivybridge joint manager Wayne Gamble said: “It was brilliant for Bishops Lydeard to clap us on and give us a guard of honour. A massive thank you to them.”
Gamble was impressed with the way his side played, saying: “At this stage of the season, when you have the league title wrapped up, you can drop your standards but for us to put on that sort of performance shows the character in the dressing room. We are keeping our standards high until the last game, and I am really pleased with the boys. We came out of the traps quickly and were flying from the first minute.
“Bailey Mabin led the line down the middle and I thought he was fantastic tonight. The good things we did went through him. He is a highly intelligent player and sees the game five seconds before everyone else.”
With left back Jake Lane suffering a hamstring injury and right back Curtis Legrice taking a turn on the substitutes’ bench. Ivybridge started with Owen Raven and youngster Brody Pawley at full back. Both players slotted in effectively.
After hosting Okehampton tonight the champions play third placed Crediton at Erme Valley on Saturday (1500).
“We have two tough games coming up, so we mixed things up,” explained Gamble.
“We have been rotating the squad all season and that has got us where we are now.
“Jake Lane will be back in the squad on Saturday, which is brilliant because he has been so good for us all season.
“We have boys fighting to get into the side on Saturday, when we pick up the trophy, and also for the Challenge Bowl final. The competition for places is healthy.”
In the Champions Bowl, Ivybridge face the West Division champions, St Austell or Liskeard.
The match will be played at Launceston AFC on Tuesday May 7. It has been switched to that date as the original date of May 1 will now see St Austell and Liskeard meet at Launceston in the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final.
Last night St Austell won 3-0 at Dobwalls to maintain their four-point lead over Liskeard, who have a game in hand and were 7-1 winners over St Dennis at Lux Park.
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