Ivybridge Town defeated in the county cup

GOALS at the start of each half helped Cullompton Rangers gain a 3-2 away win over Ivybridge Town in the second round of the Devon County St Luke’s Challenge Cup at Erme Valley on Wednesday evening (Oct 21), writes Graham Hambly.

Cullompton, who are the unbeaten leaders of the East Division of the South West Peninsula League, took the lead in only the second minute when Josh Coles ran clear of the home defence to shoot past goalkeeper Jason Peters, who was replacing the unavailable Kane Gregory.

In fairness to Ivybridge, their players and management were convinced the goal should have been disallowed for offside.

Ivybridge battled back to equalise in the 16th minute with full back Jake Lane converting a penalty awarded for a foul on striker Alfie Slough.

Cullompton regained the lead in the 24th minute with Lucas White scoring from a right-wing corner.

The visitors increased their lead within 40 seconds of the start of the second half with Coles scoring his second goal of the game from an opening created by Cameron Webb.

That left Ivybridge facing an uphill task, but they responded within five minutes when midfielder Josh Pope finished well with a goal that brought his side back into the match.

However, Cullompton held on to their slender lead to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Ivybridge joint manager Ben Washam admitted: “It was a frustrating evening. We were not at the races, and it was one of those nights when everything we tried to do did not work.”

Reflecting on the decision to allow Cullompton’s opening goal, Washam said: “We have got to do better, and we have got to take it out of the referee’s hands.

“Overall, we had chances and, on another night, we might have nicked it, but credit to Cullompton.”

That was where the praise for Cullompton ended, however, as Washam was far from happy at the state in which the visitors left their changing room.

He complained: “The changing room was an absolute disgrace. We are all volunteers here and everyone works hard, so not to sweep their changing room is not a good look for their club.

“Celebrate the win because they deserve it, but not to clean up after themselves is bad. It is common practice to clean up in football for all leagues. I don’t think we have ever had a team do that.”

Elsewhere in the competition, Torquay United put 11 past last year’s runners up Holsworthy AFC, Plymouth Parkway added to their FA Cup delight with a win over Exmouth Town, Buckland Athletic prevailed over Axminster Town plus Barnstaple Town, Bideford AFC, Brixham AFC and Willand Rovers also advanced.

Heavy rain then resulted in the first postponement of the season for Ivybridge when their league visit to Shepton Mallet was called off on Saturday (Oct 24) because of a waterlogged pitch.

The decision was announced at 10.15 am and saved the Ivybridge players and officials making a wasted journey of over 90 miles to Somerset.

It means Ivybridge have a series of three successive blank Saturdays as they were without a fixture on October 17 and are also without a game on October 31.

They are due to visit Saltash United on Tuesday evening (Oct 27) in the first round (West) of the Les Phillips League Cup.

The clubs will be keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of that fixture, however, as Saltash had their home match against Brislington FC postponed on Saturday (Oct 24).

The next league fixture for Ivybridge will be a visit to Wellington AFC on November 7. They will then round off November with a run of three successive home games against Newquay AFC on Saturday 14th, Tavistock AFC on Saturday 21st and St Blazey on Saturday 28th.