Ivybridge Town 1st XI go back to back

DEFENDERS Joe Cook and Jake Lane combined to score the only goal of the game as Ivybridge Town completed their second successive win in the Jewson Western League with a 1-0 home victory over Torpoint Athletic at Erme Valley on Saturday (Oct 10), writes Graham Hambly.

It was also a second clean sheet for Ivybridge following their 1-0 away win at Tavistock on Tuesday evening (Oct 6).

The goal against Torpoint came in the 44th minute when central defender Cook went up for a free kick taken by left back Lane and scored with a well-directed header. It was his first goal for Ivybridge since recently rejoining the club from St Blazey.

Defensively, Cook had a sound game alongside Nick Salop, and they look a good combination in the middle of the back four.

Ivybridge joint managers Ben Washam and Brad Gargett are encouraged by getting their squad back towards full strength after a series of injuries and players being unavailable.

Gargett said: “We have had to play players out of position over the last three or four weeks against some really good teams. Our squad is now getting back to where it should be. It is good that we have had two clean sheets on the bounce after the number of goals we conceded before that.”

Commenting on Cook’s goal from a set piece, Washam said: “We were disappointed when he left and are delighted to have him back. I think we get the best out of Joe and I thought he and Nick were outstanding at the back today.”

Ivybridge needed to be solid at the back during the second half to retain their slender advantage as they were unable to add to their score despite Torpoint being reduced to ten men for the final half hour after having Freddie Chapman sent off. The visitors were further depleted with James Rowe and Callum O’Brien being sent to the sin bin in the 58th and 80th minutes.

Gargett said: “I thought the chaos benefitted them because when it was man for man I think we were well in control.”

Washam added: “I thought the sin bins and red card let them have a gamble and we were a bit wasteful and naive from an attacking perspective. We had chances to kill the game off.”

Nevertheless, Ivybridge held on for a second home win over Torpoint, having beaten them 4-0 in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup back in August.

Reflecting on that achievement, Gargett commented: “To beat Torpoint twice, in the FA Cup and the league, this early on in the season is good because they are a really good club.”

Ivybridge now face two midweek games with a league visit to Buckland Athletic on Wednesday evening (Oct 14) while their next home match is against Cullompton Rangers in the second round of the Devon County St Luke’s Cup on Wednesday (Oct 21).

Washam says: “We have games coming thick and fast and we have got to be at our best. Buckland will be a tough game, but we will go up there with confidence.”

Looking ahead to the cup clash with South West Peninsula League side Cullompton, he added: “They are top of their division, so it does not get any easier.”