JEWSON WESTERN LEAGUE

Ivybridge Town 4 Liskeard Athletic 3

A SPIRITED fightback saw Ivybridge Town recover from a 3-0 deficit to gain a dramatic 4-3 home win over Liskeard Athletic in the Jewson Western League at Erme Valley on Tuesday evening (Sept 1), writes Graham Hambly.

Ivybridge were still trailing 3-1 as the game went into the closing stages but they stuck to their task and eventually secured victory with the final two goals coming during five minutes of added time.

It proved a mixed evening for former Ivybridge player Bailey Mabin, who scored a hat-trick against his old club, but still ended up on the losing side.

Mabin opened the scoring in the 16th minute and added a second from the penalty spot in the 51st minute following a foul on James Lorenz. Then Mabin rounded off an impressive performance for the visitors when he made it 3-0 in the 60th minute.

Shortly afterwards, Liskeard were reduced to ten men when Matt Andrew was dismissed for a bad tackle on Chris Harvey, who had to be replaced by substitute Alfie Slough.

Ivybridge were given a lifeline in the 73rd minute when Liskeard conceded an own goal. Then Ivybridge substitute Charlie Menear set up the dramatic finale when he made it 3-2 in the 86th minute, shortly after replacing Owen Howard.

The equaliser came in the second minute of added time with a header from Connor McAuley following a free kick and 16-year-old Ethan Rowe was on target with the winner a minute later.

Ivybridge joint manager Ben Washam praised the discipline of his side, who stuck to their task despite finding themselves in arrears.

He said: “I was delighted with our group of players and the good collective performance. They kept going and did not throw in the towel.”

Washam was also pleased with the overall display in front of a decent sized crowd, adding: “We showed our supporters what we are capable of achieving.”

Ivybridge have another home game on Saturday (Sept 5) when they have a visit from Street FC, who will be boosted by a 1-0 away win over Wells City on Tuesday evening.

Having come through the game against Liskeard without any new injury problems, Ivybridge hope to have some players who missed that game available for selection on Saturday.

Washam says: “That could give us some problems. But that is good because there are no easy games in this league.”