RESULTS - Thursday April 18, 2024

[Dave Deacon]

EAST

Cullompton Rangers    3-2      Sidmouth Town

Ivybridge Town     1-1           Okehampton Argyle

 

 

WEST

Newquay               4-0             Launceston

[Dave Deacon]

PRESS RELEASE

 

Issued – April 19, 2024

 

Ivybridge Town 1, Okehampton Argyle 1

 

IVYBRIDGE Town were given a scare before maintaining their unbeaten home league record with a 1-1 draw against a determined Okehampton side in the South West Peninsula League at Erme Valley on Thursday evening (April 18).

Okehampton were well prepared and did not let Ivybridge settle during a scrappy first half with Luke Mortimore giving the visitors an interval lead with a goal in the 27th minute.

Ivybridge looked in trouble when they were reduced to ten men for the final 30 minutes after Chris Wright was dismissed for receiving a harsh second caution.

However, Ivybridge showed the determination that has earned them the East Division championship to raise their game. Despite their numerical handicap, they were the better side for the remainder of the game.

They were rewarded for their efforts when Sean Thomson, one of five second half substitutes, equalised with a cracking shot from around 30 yards in the 80th minute.

In the closing stages Ivybridge looked the side more likely to grab a winner and striker Connor Rush was desperately close to doing so when he had a shot brilliantly saved by visiting goalkeeper Aaron Dearing.

Ivybridge joint manager Wayne Gamble said: “I think we were the better side in the second half. Okehampton probably shaded it in the first half. They had done their homework on us.”

Ivybridge struggled to create time and space to play their attacking game with Okehampton quick to close them down.

Gamble explained: “We had no space in behind. They dealt with Connor Rush really well and were an organised outfit.”

At the other end, Okehampton did not pose too big a threat with Ivybridge skipper Scott Pocock turning in a man of the match performance at centre half.

Gamble said: “Scott was superb. They did not really break us down. Their goal was a deflection across the box, which wrong-footed our full back and was a tap in. Other than that, they did not really hurt us.”

Gamble was particularly pleased with the way his responded after going down to ten men with 30 minutes to play. He said: “We were the better side. Every person on the pitch for us was absolutely fantastic. When we went down to ten it just showed our character.

“Sean Thomson’s goal deserved to be a winner it was that good. He came on and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. There was only one side that was going to go on and win.

“Okehampton were time wasting at one-all with us down to ten men. We were trying to speed things up and it shows the two different mentalities between the sides.”

Okehampton chose not to follow the example of Bishops Lydeard, who applauded Ivybridge on to the pitch as league champions on Tuesday evening.

Gamble admitted that he was disappointed by that decision, adding: “It does not matter who you are playing against, you have got to have that bit of class about you.”

Although having already secured the title, Gamble is keen for his side to maintain standards, saying: “When you are champions you have got to have little things to hang on to: score 100 goals (Ivybridge have scored 105 goals in 30 league games), and do not get beaten at home.”

Ivybridge will be looking to keep that home league record intact when they complete their home fixtures on Saturday (April 20) (3.0 pm) with a visit from Crediton.

Peninsula League officials will attend that match to present Ivybridge with the East Division championship trophy.

Gamble says: “Crediton have played a lot of games in quick succession, but we will be chomping at the bit, picking up the league trophy. I would not be surprised if we come out of the traps flying.”

 

Press Release from Graham Hambly

[Soccer Follower]

Unlucky Okehampton.