Result and Match Report from Erme Valley, Ivybridge Town 1-2 Bovey Tracey

[Robbo5]

BOVEY BATTLE BACK TO WINNING WAYS

BOVEY TRACEY got back to winning ways despite the terrible pitch conditions against Ivybridge Town. although the ground staff had worked hard throughout the morning and early afternoon to get the pitch playable after passing two pitch inspections.

A scrappy game in both halfs provided an excellent game of football for the spectators as Bovey came from behind to win the game 2-1 and missed a second half penalty.

Bovey started the brighter of the sides in the first half, creating a couple of chances after 5 minutes, one chance from a corner which was defended well by the Bridgers.

Ivybridge began to get into the game after 10 minutes and from the clearance from another Bovey corner, were awarded a free kick, 25 yards from goal when Joe Truelove was fouled by defender Tom Arnold. From the resulting free kick Ivybridge found themselves 1-0 ahead, after Mark Berry's low drive towards goal was deflected and flew past the diving Tom Brooks. Ivybridge had another free kick a couple of minutes after the restart after Berry was fouled by Alex Sanderson. Town decided to take it early and lost possession. But Bovey again, could not get forward in numbers and Ivybridge regained possession and won another set-piece kick. Ryan McClements delivered a sweet ball towards the back post which fell to Ben Smallridge who had two attempts to increase the lead but both attempts were blocked.

Bovey Tracey then levelled the game on 22 minutes. Dan Taylor capitalising on a defensive mix-up when Jared Lewington brought a save from Josh Oak and Taylor reacting the quickest after good work from Hayden Roe. Bovey upped their game after the equaliser, Dan Taylor's free kick only just wide as well as Jared Lewington bringing a good save from Oak cutting inside the defence.

Referee Aaron Reed got his book out for the first time after 30 minutes, booking Josh Zimmerman of Ivybridge for a tackle from behind on Dan Taylor. Taylor was also called over by Reed who showed the Bovey captain a yellow card from reacting to Zimmerman's challenge.

In the final 15 minutes both sides found it hard to create chances and keep possession to get the next goal to take the lead going into the second half. Most of you may have thought that was the likely scenario and it was. Bovey went into half time 2-1 up after a corner from Jared Lewington was headed home from Jamie Micklewright who was given too much room and rose the highest.

Out for the second half and Bovey started the brightest again, trying to get forward and put pressure on Ivybridge but they themselves were up for the challenge of a response. Bovey were then awarded a penalty on 50 minutes when 'keeper Oak was adjudged to have clipped the feet of Hayden Roe and brought the striker down. Roe stepped up to take the spot kick but Oak guessed right and made a save to his left and the corner that followed was cleared away.

On 55 Ivybridge made a sub, Shea Saunders replacing Ryan McClements in what looked like an attacking change for Ivybridge and matching the attacking tactics as Bovey which seemed to be working well.

Ivybridge had more chances to level in the next 5 minutes when two corners were cleared only partially away but the deliveries that followed were collected by Bovey 'keeper Tom Brooks.

On 75 Ivybridge made another substitution, Steve Sutton replacing Joe Truelove. Sutton's first action of the game was to see his team mate Miles Cheetham booked for a harsh challenge on Jared Lewington. The tackle prompted a fracas between both teams and referee Reed did well to calm the situation before consulting with his assistant referee before issuing the booking to Cheetham.

Bovey made their first sub on 80 Tom Arnold replaced by Max Webb. Bovey began keeping good possession of the ball in the corners as the time ticked down for the final whistle, but Ivybridge still had chances themselves; Brooks rising well to stop the ball hitting the top corner from Mike Summers attempt.

Both benches were getting anxious in the 4 minutes of injury time, but Reed blew his whistle to ensure Bovey went home with all 3 points and claimed their 2nd win in 3 games, whilst Ivybridge remained without a win since December, dropping a couple of places in the League.

Bovey Manager Ryan German was so delighted after the game at the desire, committment and workrate of his side, considering the conditions on the Erme Valley pitch;

"I was aware that the game might not have gone ahead after hearing of 2 pitch inspections, and when we arrived, the players were unsure the safety of the pitch would have the game being on. But we had to stick at the task in hand of keeping possession and working hard to get goals and that we did. We showed so much effort to come back from an early goal and I thought we were the best team on the day, despite having 3 or 4 keys players away."

German continued; "So many people have looked at our results in the last 7 or 8 games and not taken us seriously. We need to be aware that teams will start to realise this club is working hard to get the right results and push this club towards a top 6 finish."

Ivybridge Town

1 Josh Oak
2 Ryan McClements (Saunders 55)
3 Josh Zimmerman (booked)
4 Miles Cheetham (booked)
5 Jamie Middleton
6 Mike Summers
7 Ben Smallridge
8 Mark Berry
9 Joe Truelove (Sutton 75)
10 Stuart Morgan
11 Mike Scott

12 Jordan Walton
14 Andy Porter
15 Steve Sutton
16 Shea Saunders
17 Todd Hamilton

Bovey Tracey

1 Tom Brooks
2 Tom Arnold (Webb 80)
3 Jared Lewington
4 Alex Sanderson
5 Ryan Stanbridge
6 Ed Plackett
7 Lewis Plackett
8 Dejan Maric
9 Hayden Roe
10 Jamie Micklewright
11 Dan Taylor (booked)

12 Max Webb
14 Kieran Light
15 Micky Hunt

Referee: Aaron Reed
Assistants: Dean Newton and Tom Anstics

Man of the Match: Jamie Micklewright

Attendance: Unknown