CSWPL Premier Division

Elburton Villa 2

Ivybridge Town boss Brian Howard has described tomorrow's fixture at basement club Penzance as a must-win game after his side remain pointless in the league after three matches.

As seems to be the case with the Bridgers, bad luck will see them hampered by the absence of four players: Joe Truelove, Miles Cheetham, Jamie Middleton and captain Chris Maskell.

Nevertheless, as Penzance are still waiting for their first league goal of the campaign, anything other than a win would not sit well with anyone connected with Town.

Putting this to one side, Howard says, the fixture is all about turning up in the right frame of mind, working hard, and coming out with all three points.

Complacency in this situation could spell trouble, as Howard is under no illusions how desperate Penzance will be to get some points under their belt following a disastrous start to the season.

He also sees it as a chance for some of the players coming in to the team to prove a point and try to earn a starting spot.

Looking back to the game last Friday against Elburton Villa, where Town went down 2-1, Howard was pleased with the resolve his side showed against the top-of-the-table club and very pleased with a decent turnout.

He was left rueing two penalty decisions, however, which might have changed the entire complexion of the match, one awarded to Villa early on in the game, and one not awarded to Town approaching the end.

Howard described the Elburton penalty which gave them a 1-0 lead early in the first half as 'marginal'. 'It was one of those where it was on the edge of the box, it could have gone either way, but there you go, these things happen', a disappointed Howard said.

That said, compared to the way the team collapsed against Witheridge second half, Town refused to let their heads drop and got the equaliser they deserved through a brilliant solo effort from Steve Sutton, who cut in from a wide left position before burying his in the bottom far corner. The score remained that way until the break.

The second half gremlins seemed like they would strike again as Town conceded before Howard had even made his back to the dugout, and the Bridgers found themselves behind fro the second time.

The Bridgers once again showed plenty of character to keep contesting the ball, and even grew stronger as the half went on, in conspicuous difference to their match at Witheridge.

With not much time left in the game, Joe Truelove found himself in the Elburton penalty area, and felt he was impeded by a defender tugging on his shirt. Howard remains baffled by the decision not to award it, as he says it was a clear penalty, and one which happened in the view of the linesman.

Despite this, Howard wishes to stick to the positives, commend his players for their effort and commitment, and hope their luck changes for the better.

The club is also looking forward to their forthcoming fixture against Toolstation Western League Premier Division side Barnstaple Town on September 5 in the Devon St Lukes Bowl. On the following Saturday, Town entertain St Blazey in the league, hopefully aiming to build on a victory against Penzance.

As always, the club is keen to offer a warm welcome to anybody who wishes to attend these games, with the match against Barnstaple Town offering a level of football not usually seen at Erme Valley.