Result and Match Report From Mill Marsh Park: Bovey Tracey 2-1 Witheridge

[Robbo5]

AN EXCELLENT DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCE from Bovey Tracey gave Manager Ryan German a much needed victory against Witheridge on Wednesday night.

Two penalties either side of Witheridge's equaliser was enough to take all three points on a bobbly Mill Marsh Park pitch.

The Moorlanders outplayed and outclassed Witheridge for most of the game, although their opponents did have chances early on to take the lead and could of snatched a score draw.

Only 3 minutes had gone when 'keeper Aaron Ibbetson ran as far as his eighteen yard to gather the loose ball, after Jordan Charran almost capitalised on Liam Head's soft defensive header back to goal.

But it was Bovey who took the lead on 8 minutes in the most unfortunate and peculiar circumstance. After an initial foul on Hayden Roe, 25 yards from goal the ball delivered into the box was appealed by the Witheridge defence which may have caused an obstruction or offside. Witheridge centre back Steve Avery's decision was to pick the ball up as if to hear the whistle go when in fact it hadn't and referee Ian Loader after figuring out what had happened pointed to the penalty spot. Hayden Roe stepped up and placed it to Steve Johns left after guessing the correct way.

Witheridge seemed rattled from previous actions and almost gave away a second goal minutes after Liam Head blasted over from 20 yards after good work between Roe and Cliff Walters.

20 minutes in and Witheridge soon found their rhythm and had their first attack on goal. Jordan Charran was through on goal and unleashed a half volley 18 yards out but couldn't find the target.

5 minutes later action was end to end. Bovey's Dan Taylor and Roe linking well but Roe's effort saved. Down the other end Gray played Charran in again and he was clipped by Kai Fisher, no booking. The resulting free kick was blocked and Bovey attacked again.

Approaching the last 15 and Witheridge could still not find the net from two corners; the latter bobbling around in the box and instead of reacting to the ball appealed for a high foot as Lewis Plackett cleared, Loader waving away the appeals.

Witheridge did get their equaliser on 33. Johns saving well at one end from Roe's header released the ball for Thompson who launched a ball high over the Bovey defence and found Charran who finished cool and carm, low across Ibbetson's body.

Liam Head had the last attack on goal from 18 yards 2 minutes from time before Loader blew for the half.

Bovey came out in the second half with a point to prove. German reminding his players that when taking a lead, remain in the lead for the duration.

3 minutes in and Jared Lewington's burst down the left meant gave him the chance of a one on one with the centre back. Lewington was able to cut inside but his shot saved.

A minute later Lewington did the same again, but when cutting inside Jamie Dirrane the defender clipped Lewington inside the box and Loader pointed to the spot for the second time. The same outcome applied, Roe converting low into the left corner after Johns had guessed right.

Witheridge midfielder Thompson was booked on 50 after a high tackle on Lewington and that was followed by another foul by Dirrane on Roe. German started to become frustrated at the quality of deliveries into the Witheridge box.

Witheridge made a sub on 55, Josh Kite coming on for Dirrane in an attacking change. Witheridge soon increased their tempo and pace and forced Bovey to defend well for five minutes in their own half.

Liam Head had a chance to increase Bovey's lead on 60 after good interplay with striker O'Donaghue. Head only with the keeper to beat, but John's saved down low to keep the one goal deficit.

Head was again in the thick of the action this time booked for kicking the ball away.

Charran had the chance to level on 67, but drew his shot wide.

Both sides made changes on 70, Bovey replacing O'Donaghue for Sam Dicken whilst Witheridge made 2 changes in two minutes, Roger Ingham replacing Dave Rowe and Taunton Town striker Khaled Badavi replacing Steve Ebdy.

Witheridge created more chances in the final 15 minutes and showed more urgency to strike on goal. But a strong and determined defensive line from Bovey battled hard and cleared their lines everytime.

On 79 minutes Kai Fisher followed Steve Avery in the referee's notebook. Avery for dissent and Fisher for an unfair challenge.

Bovey had a chance again when Johns mis-kicked his back pass but recovered before Dicken could get to the ball.

Roe was booked for dissent two minutes from time and was subbed 2 minutes into injury for Arnold.

The Moorlanders held on for a vital three points and only 2 points from their chance of acceptance into next season's FA Cup.

After the game Bovey Manager Ryan German was thrilled with his side's performance tonight, his views available on Bovey Tracey 1st page.

Bovey Tracey travel to Saltash United this weekend; 3pm kick off at the Kimberley Stadium match preview in a couple of days.

Referee: Ian Loader

Assistants: Neil Seymour and Chris Palmer

Attendance: tbc

Man of the match: Lee Pascoe (Bovey Tracey)

Bovey Tracey

1. Aaron Ibbetson

2. Cliff Walters

3. Jared Lewington

4. Lee Pascoe

5. Ryan Stanbridge

6. Kai Fisher (booked 79)

7. Liam Head (booked 62)

8. Lewis Plackett

9. Hayden Roe (booked 88) (Arnold 90)

10. Dale O'Donaghue (Dicken 70)

11. Dan Taylor ©

12. Jake Welch

14. Tom Arnold

15. Dejan Maric

16. Sam Dicken

Witheridge (names and numbers provided by club)

1. Steve Johns

2. Aiden Way

3. Dave Rowe (Ingham 68)

4. Steve Avery (booked 77)

17. Chris Ibbeson

6. Jamie Dirrane (Kite 55)

7. Dan Thompson (booked 50)

8. Alex Gray

9. Steve Ebdy (Badavi 70)

10. Jordan Charran

11. Richard Blake

12. Josh Kite

14. Roger Ingham

15. Khaled Badavi

16. Chris Vinnicombe