TT MATCH VERDICT

Clive Hayward

@Byehorse

Clive discusses the loss at Ivybridge

IVYBRIDGE TOWN 2-2 TORQUAY UNITED (4-3 ON PENS)

For strikers, so they say, the first 5 yards are in the head. I think the same applies for those of us who only watch. Enjoyment of a game depends a lot on your own frame of mind: the actual merits of the football are only a part of it.

Thus I cannot regard Torquay’s defeat at Ivybridge on Tuesday night as quite the disaster that some felt it to be, because a little drive out to a new ground at the end of an otherwise mundane work day was just the ticket. Ellacombe to Erme Valley is easy enough, although the setting sun occasionally meant visibility shorter than Tom Lapslie’s inside leg. Ivybridge’s ground is bordered by a tennis centre on one side, the fast-flowing river Erme on another and by bugger all on the other two. It is very close to the A38 but traffic noise barely permeates.

Entry cost a fiver and I was able to park by the pitch. The dying light saw Torquay’s young squad being put through it’s paces by Aaron Downes and other coaches I cannot name, The general idea seemed to be short, sharp passes, good control and nice movement. To be fair, and wearing last season’s bright yellow kit, our heroes were able to put a lot of that into practice. We started quite brightly and created many more chances than the home side in the first half. I counted at least 5 balls cleared off the Ivybridge line early on. But there was no breakthrough and a nagging feeling that we would be made to pay for the lack of ruthlessness. Sure enough, Ivybridge started to put some moves together and they too were denied by a goal-line clearance.

But shortly before half time Torquay were awarded a free kick 20 yards out and slightly to the left of centre. A few similar chances had gone begging, but this time our big number seven hit it sweetly low into the right hand corner and the seasiders were in front. I hadn’t seen a programme and was having a night off Twitter/X, so I couldn’t at that time identify the scorer or- for that matter- any of Torquay’s young team. It had struck me that “seven” looked a bit like Ryan Hanson. Turns out that it was! Good strike.

Overall, it had been a reasonable first half from Torquay and I would say they were good value for the lead. I had expected us to be bullied out of it. Pre-match, I had predicted we would lose. My view was shared by “Biff”. Sorry Biff, I don’t know your real name despite having shared many away coaches, a few pints and countless obscure nights out at places like Ivybridge, Okehampton and Newton Spurs. Biff loves the Yellows and like me will tend to watch football every chance he gets. He’s a fellow Leeds fan, and he’d probably agree that he’s calmed down a bit over the years. Comes to us all I guess.

A half time cup of tea and a wander over to the other side, by the river. Mercifully the colder evenings seem to have calmed the midges down a lot, so there was no repeat of the Okehampton blood sucking debacle. The undisputed star of Ivybridge is the lanky geezer with the wellies and the telescopic fishing net (I had to look that up: a round net on a long pole!). He patrolled the grassy stretch between the touchline and the river bank ready at a second’s notice to swipe any hoofed balls from the drink. He missed nothing. A true non league legend.

Unfortunately, Ivybridge were much more in the game, and managed to hit the Torquay net (geddit?) twice in short order. The first goal was an annoying near post back-header from a corner and the second was a screamer, hit first time from range. Torquay kept going though, looking dangerous on the break. Time was slipping away however, and as I took up a new spot behind their goal it looked as though it was going to be a hard luck story.

But in injury time we finally found a finish. Ivybridge got a little too deep and the ball was played in to our Number Nine, who had endured a frustrating and- to be honest- quite wasteful 90 minutes. Fair play to the youngster, he took a good touch and finished sweetly. It was none other than Southampton’s Luke Pearce!

Despite the combined wisdom of Gary Johnson and Aaron Downes we couldn’t capitalise on the late lifeline, missing our second and fifth penalties in the shootout. Ivybridge (who play in the South West Peninsula League East) were perfect from the spot, and in front of a contented clubhouse they walked off to a warm reception. Fair play: it was a bigger night for them than us, and they enjoyed it. So did I.

PLAYERS COMMENTS

NB- this is very unscientific. I have gone from the shirt numbers in the club’s match report and I’m only going to mention a few of them:

1. Rhys Lovett

That was definitely him! Looked assured in orange but didn’t look like saving a penalty despite “cheating” off his line for most of them.

3. Dan Martin

I honestly never spotted him. Probably not a great sign.

4. Jack Kennell

Put himself about. Loves a tackle. Wasn’t put off by a very early and justified yellow card. Therefore managed to avoid being in the doghouse….

5. Finley Craske

If it was him, I thought he did well. Not had a close look at him yet this season and not 100% sure but whoever our number five was he looks a big unit. Certainly very mature for an Under 18!

8. Ethan O’Sullivan

Bright. Moved it well. Another one not shy of a challenge.

9. Luke Pearce

Really? He certainly didn’t stand out, although he took his goal well. Pretty humble in the shoot-out.. Didn’t hit his penalty well. The keeper thought & said that he should have saved it. Luke’s response was bang on: “They all count.” His footballing future must be uncertain, but failure at Torquay is not always indicative of where players will end up. Good luck to him.

11. Kai Swann

Does he have the most 2023 footballer’s name ever? Left footed, played down the right. I’m not a huge fan of that. Nice touch, good feet but little apparent pace.