Injury woes continue as Ivybridge Town exit Vase

A PROMISING recovery during the second half failed to save the day for Ivybridge Town as they were knocked out of the FA Vase in a 4-1 home defeat against Tavistock AFC in the second qualifying round at Erme Valley on Saturday (Sept 12), writes Graham Hambly.

Former Ivybridge player Ryan Smith opened the scoring for Tavistock with an accurate angled shot in the 26th minute. Then the visitors added a second through Tom Chastey in the 31st minute to ease into a 2-0 interval lead.

To their credit, Ivybridge battled back in the second half and deservedly reduced their arrears with a shot from substitute Alfie Slough in the 68th minute.

At that stage Ivybridge looked well on top, but they lacked the finishing touch to find an equaliser.

They were forced to reorganise at the back in the closing stages with central defender Dan Vile going off in the 87th minute and Tavistock cashed in with two late goals to gain a somewhat flattering score-line.

Deacon Thomson made it 3-1 with a header from Jacob Bowker’s free kick in the first of five added minutes and Kian Birch completed the scoring with a shot two minutes later.

Ivybridge joint managers Brad Gargett and Ben Washam were left reflecting on a third successive defeat with their side suffering through a lack of players because of injury and unavailability.

Gargett said: “We are struggling at the moment in terms of player availability. We are missing some key figures and although we are getting players back, it seems you get two back, but you are missing three. I think against St Blazey in midweek we were missing six.”

In the last two games, against Tavistock and St Blazey, Ivybridge have faced former players with three of them scoring goals. In addition to Smith on Saturday, Kai Burrell and Sean Thomson were on target for St Blazey on Wednesday evening.

Gargett explained that Ivybridge did not have a budget to compete with some other clubs, adding: “In the last two games we have played against players who were here last season, but they have gone for financial reasons.”

Regarding the defeat by Tavistock, Washam said: “It was a frustrating afternoon. We had a 20-minute spell in the second half when there was only one team in it, but we are lacking that killer instinct.

“Alfie Slough came on and got one with a good finish and we had opportunities to go two each, but we have not taken them.”

Ivybridge were without three attacking players as they were missing Josh Johnson, Chris Harvey and Dan Tate.

Commenting on the late problem at the back when Jacob Pickavant had to replace Dan Vile, Gargett said: “We are missing players at both ends of the pitch. Dan has had to play two games in the space of four days after being out six weeks with a broken wrist.

“He has forced himself back early and today in the 87th minute he is feeling something and we have had to put a central midfielder at centre half.”

Looking to the future, Ivybridge will attempt to bounce back with a league visit to Sidmouth Town on Tuesday evening.

Washam says: “It is our job to be positive and galvanise the team and hopefully go up there and come away with three points. It is a massive game for us.”

Ivybridge have a blank day on Saturday (Sept 19), but the players will be in for a training session as they prepare for their next home fixture in the Devon County St Luke’s Cup against Okehampton Argyle at Erme Valley on Wednesday September 23.

Washam says: “We have got to be ready for Okehampton, but most important for us is Tuesday night at Sidmouth because we have got to put points on the board.”