SWPL

premier division

Ivybridge Town 7,

St Blazey 2

Ivybridge face a defining month in their season as they seek to keep hold of top spot heading into the new year.

Town's general manager, Brian Howard, is well aware of the importance of the Christmas period to his side's chances, saying: 'We've got Newquay away tomorrow then Falmouth at home the following Saturday. If we can get six points from those games that will set us up perfectly for the big one on January 3 when we take on Saltash.'

Saltash are currently second in the table, two points behind Town, but have three games in hand over the Bridgers, giving the January clash massive significance.

Ivybridge certainly started their run of fixtures against Cornish sides well when they routed St Blazey at Erme Valley. Howard was thrilled with his side's performance and paid particular tribute to debutant Jack Alexander, who earned the man-of-the-match award for his efforts on the wing.

He said: 'It was possibly our best display of the season, we played some beautiful stuff. Jackie Alexander was superb, he's a great signing for us, he was man-of-the-match without a shadow of a doubt.'

The game however, started in inauspicious fashion for the hosts, who went behind with just a minute on the clock, much to Howard's disbelief. He said: 'I got out of the changing rooms late and didn't believe Nicky (Marker) when he said we were 1-0 down, I turned to the bench and said he must be having me on.'

The Bridgers levelled the contest on 15 minutes when Lee Doel drove home a good low shot, but Blazey took the lead for the second time five minutes later via a spot-kick Howard felt was generous.

'They got a very dubious penalty on 20 minutes, but to be fair things evened up when we had one back for handball five minutes later', he said.'From then on we basically put them to the sword.

'We totally dominated the second half, they couldn't live with us, we could have hit double figures.'

Player-manager Mark Berry made no mistake from 12 yards to level the scores before Alexander wasted little time in opening his account. He turned provider before half-time to give Bridgers a two-goal advantage when he set up striker Steve Sutton for his first of the afternoon. At the whistle the score was 4-2 to the home side.

Alexander continued his stunning debut in the second period, whipping in a cross that the Blazey defender could only turn into his own net for goal number five.

Things got worse for Blazey when their striker took an early shower after his second yellow card.

Sutton doubled his tally for the day on 65 minutes and completed his and Town's scoring just before the final whistle, that man Alexander delivering another inch-perfect cross for Sutton to fire home for his hat-trick.