FA CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND

Tiverton Town 2 Ivybridge Town 1

A GOAL four minutes into stoppage time brought heartbreak for Ivybridge Town in their FA Cup preliminary round tie away to Tiverton Town on Saturday (Aug 22), writes Graham Hambly.

It resulted in a 2-1 defeat against a team who play in Division One of the Southern League, which is one level above Ivybridge in the Jewson Western League.

Ivybridge took an early lead through Jake Lane and, although Tiverton equalised in the second half, Ivybridge were a couple of minutes from bringing them back to Erme Valley for a replay.

Ivybridge joint manager Ben Washam admitted to having mixed emotions after the game, saying: “Although I am gutted at the result, I could not be more proud of our players.

“They listened to the game plan and came so close to earning a replay against a side who have a number of ex-professionals. It proves how far we have gone with this group of players.”

That has been achieved despite Ivybridge suffering a series of injury problems this season.

The latest blow came in training during the week when striker Dan Tate injured his knee. That was only days after his successful return to action, scoring the winner in a 2-1 FA Vase victory over Teignmouth AFC.

There was a mixed start for Ivybridge at Tiverton. Lane was pulled up for a foul on Jacob Wellington after only six minutes. That resulted in a penalty for the home side, but goalkeeper Kane Gregory made a vital save from Owen Howe’s spot kick.

Then, nine minutes later Lane gave Ivybridge the lead with a great strike from a cross by Chris Harvey, who impressed with his tremendous work rate throughout the game.

Washam added that the whole team deserved credit for their efforts, especially Ryan Geach on his return from injury at central defence.

“Ryan was our man of the match with a solid performance at the back,” said Washam.

Ivybridge retained their advantage until the 61st minute when Tiverton equalised with a header by Matt Wood from a corner by Finn Roberts, who had just come on as a substitute.

The game remained all square as it went into six minutes of stoppage of time and it was in the fourth of those added minutes that Ivybridge hopes of a replay were dashed with Howe grabbing the winner for the home side.

This defeat was Ivybridge’s first reverse since losing away to Portishead Town on the opening day of the season. That was followed by five home fixtures, winning four and drawing one.

Several other Western League sides were in FA Cup action with varying outcomes. The likes of Shepton Mallet, Street FC and Bridgwater United all exited the competition whereas St. Blazey beat Barnstaple Town, Brixham AFC overcame Willand Rovers and Wells City won on home soil against Risborough Rangers.

Now, after a run of three successive knock-out games, Ivybridge return to league action with a visit to Brislington on Saturday (Aug 29) and then comes a home game against Liskeard Athletic on Tuesday September 1 (7.30pm)- the latter have former Ivies manager Wayne Gamble at the helm, not to mention that he took a few players with him as well.

Image courtesy of Iain Mellis Photography.