Ivybridge Town 1, Wendron 0 Match report from Graham Hambly

[Dave Deacon]

Ivybridge Town 1, Wendron 0

 

NEW signing Jack Alexander showed his potential by scoring the only goal of the game as Ivybridge Town retained the Leon Sargent Cup in their first match of the new season at Erme Valley on Saturday (July 8).

Wendron were runners-up in the West Division of the South West Peninsula League last season and play Ivybridge on an annual basis for the trophy, which is donated by Leon Sargent, a stalwart backroom worker at Ivybridge.

A well-struck shot from Alexander after 20 minutes settled an evenly contested game between two well-matched sides.

Both teams had scoring opportunities and the fact that only one goal was scored was due to some goalkeeping by Ben Elphick of Ivybridge and Wendron’s Danny Steadman.

Elphick, playing his first game for three years, provided excellent cover for first choice Kane Gregory, who was unavailable.

Overall, it was an encouraging start for Ivybridge’s new joint management team of Wayne Gamble and Lance Bailey.

Gamble said: “There were some massive positives for us with the win and a clean sheet. Everyone was grafting and we are going in the right direction.”

Commenting on the performance of goalkeeper Elphick, Gamble added: “Kane is our number one, but Ben has played at a good standard and is not a bad back up. He stepped in today an made two massive saves to keep us in the game.”

Ivybridge continue their pre-season preparations on Thursday evening (July 13) with a home match against Bodmin, another side from the Peninsula League West Division, with a 7.30pm kick-off.

[WendronOfficial]

Our own match report available via our website:

https://www.wendronunitedafc.co.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=655083