JEWSON WESTERN LEAGUE

Brislington FC 1 Ivybridge Town 0

A DEPLETED Ivybridge Town side suffered their second league defeat of the season when they lost 1-0 away to Brislington FC in the Jewson Western League on Saturday (Aug 29), writes Graham Hambly.

They were without central defenders Ryan Geach and Nick Salop, who were both unavailable, so 18-year-old full back Joe Rutherford slotted in at the heart of the defence alongside skipper James Forrest, who has just returned from injury.

Also missing were attacker Colin Pritchard and injured striker Dan Tate, who has been sidelined since scoring the winning goal in the FA Vase win over Teignmouth AFC a fortnight ago.

Ivybridge had a disastrous start at Brislington, being a goal down in the opening minute when Tyller Davis-Whitlock scored what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Ivybridge joint manager Brad Gargett admitted it was a disappointing afternoon following the spirited performance by the side in the previous week’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Tiverton.

“We were lethargic against Brislington,” he said, adding: “We lacked the necessary quality and energy.”

Following the long journey to Brislington, Ivybridge now have a run of mainly home fixtures with seven of their next nine games being played at Erme Valley, while the two away games are relatively short trips to St. Blazey and Sidmouth Town.

Two of those home matches are this week with Liskeard Athletic due at Erme Valley on Tuesday evening (Sept 1) (7.30pm) followed by Street FC on Saturday, September 5.

Elsewhere in the Western League this weekend, Buckland Athletic were beaten at home by a clinical Bridgwater United side plus there were also victories for Liskeard, St. Blazey, Brixham AFC, Portishead Town, Torpoint Athletic and Wells City. Saltash United vs Shepton Mallet was the only draw.