The Ivies won 4-0 for the second week in succession against a side in the relegation zone and in the process avenged an unfortunate 1-0 defeat at Cullompton earlier in the season.

The home side were determined to carry on where they left off against Clyst and soon took the lead - Jamie Middleton heading home skipper Martin Mitchell's corner. The visitors briefly threaten with Cully player manager Jason Rees forcing a smart save from debutant keeper Jack Dixon. A fine move involving Joe Truelove, Jamie Morgan and Karl Curtis saw the Ivies assistant manager square the ball to Middleton who bundled the ball home to make it 2-0 and it was 3-0 inside half an hour when Middleton was clumsily hauled down in the box, Ivybridge's top scorer failed to beat the keeper with his initial spot kick but made no mistake with the rebound.

The visitors failed to really threaten in the second half with the Ivybridge defence, bolstered by the arrival of Wayne Riley from Bodmin Town in fine form. The first highlight of the second half saw Ben Smallridge take the field following 3 months in Australia, the talented winger was soon in the action and struck a fine volley against the post. The best was saved until last - Middleton controlled Morgan's fine cross field pass with a sublime first touch before expertly curling his shot around the visiting keeper for his and his team's 4th goal.

"Once again a great team performance. Midds deserves special praise for his afternoon's work, he scored with his head, left foot and right foot for a perfect hatrick in the first half and his 4th was a quality finish. I think that takes him to 14 for the season, both he and Joe Truelove have scored plenty of goals of late. I was also really pleased with new signings Jack Dixon and Wayne Riley plus it was good to welcome back Ben Smallridge for his trip to Australia," said Ivies boss Martyn King.

The Ivies emphatically broke their loosing streak with a tremendous display of skill and determination. The away team tore into Clyst right from the start and nearly took an early lead when the impressive Joe Truelove was denied by an amazing goal-line clearance. They went infront midway through the first half when James Mitchell combined with Truelove to fire home from close range.

It was one way traffic in the second half as the Ivies relaxed and played some good stuff. Truelove tapped home from close range after Karl Curtis' shot was blocked, then veteran Jamie Morgan smashed home a free kick from an improbable angle. The best goal was saved for last: Jamie Middleton sent Shaun Hulbert racing down the left flank, the Ivies wing back skipped past a defender and squared it to the Middleton who smashed the ball home from close range after making up 40 yards to get on the of the cross.

"I knew we were capable of a performance like that and full credit to the lads for showing they can battle and play in equal measure. It was a relief to get a win at last but we mustn't think the hard work is done as we have a very tough game against Cullompton next week," said Ivybridge boss Martyn King.

TOWN boss Martyn King chose his post-match words very carefully after watching his side's good work undone by a controversial decision. A minute from the end of normal time home goalkeeper Gary Turner appeared to catch a Dave Pooley free-kick the right side of the goal-line. But the assistant referee flagged that the ball had been carried over the line, much to the surprise of everyone. After a lengthy discussion between the officials the goal was given, with Turner also being booked for protesting the decision.

Perhaps, tellingly, the visitors were retreating to defend Turner's impending punt upfield and their manager Chris Breslan was honest afterwards.

He said: "It was a strange decision but it got us back into the game and unsettled them enough for us to get a winner."

"That strange decision crushed us as nobody in the ground thought for a moment that the ball had crossed the line," said King, whose side are without a win in nine games.

To rub salt into the Bridgers' wounds, Spurs grabbed the winner in the second minute of stoppage time. Spurs striker Tom Sercombe took full advantage of the home side's disruption when he thumped a loose ball past Turner from 18 yards.

The result was harsh on Ivybridge who had worked hard to eke out and keep their single-goal advantage on a pitch that stood up well despite the elements.

Spurs should have taken an early lead, but Gary Byrne saw his effort well saved by Turner after the Spurs' striker had been put clear. Town were also lucky when the officials waved away penalty claims when Steve Hatfield seemed to bring down Byrne. But this was balanced out when a second-half challenge on Jamie Middleton was erroneously ruled outside the penalty box.

Ivybridge went into the break a goal to the good, thanks to Joe Truelove's superb 35-yard lob, but ultimately suffered from not taking one of several clear chances after the interval.

The depleted Ivies were no match for Saltash who stretched their unbeaten run to 14 games and went to the top of the table in the process. Injuries, suspensions and unavailability meant that Ivybridge were once again without a number of players and Jamie Morgan (injured), Shaun Hulbert (ill) and Ben Smith (unavailable) added themselves to the list on the morning of the match.

The Ivies actually began the game reasonable well but eventually went behind when Toby Clark headed home a corner at the far post midway through the first half. A flowing passing move made the score 2-0 at half time. The Ashes started the second half in determined fashion and Stuart Clark made it 3-0 before goals from Danny Lewis and Ryan McClements made it 5-0.

"First of all, credit to Saltash. You could see why they are on such a good run and are top of the table. I want to say thank you to the players that made themselves available for us, they worked hard but it was always going to be difficult. Looking ahead, Jamie Middleton will be back for the Boxing Day game and I am hopeful that Lance Bailey and Gareth Jones are nearing full fitness too," said Martyn King.

The Ivies, without 13 players due to injuries and unavailability, got a great result against the Clarets at Erme Valley. Player manager Martyn King had a tough week getting a side together to face the reigning Cornwall Senior Cup holders and was without a number of first team regulars. He was also without goalkeepers Joe Tickle and Mike Roberts.

Thankfully, Gary Turner made himself available on the morning of the match and slotted in as if he had never been away. The same can be said of midfielder James Mitchell who returned to the team after a 5 year absence and had a great game in the middle of the park.

The Ivies got off to a great start and took the lead after Clarets keeper Paul Hider fouled Jamie Middleton. Amazingly the referee decided not to take any action against Hider but Middleton composed himself and slotted home the penalty. The ref's decision proved to be controversial as Hider went on to put in an excellent display including a spectacular save from Middleton just 5 minutes after the penalty incident.

Launceston levelled early in the second half when the referee adjudged that substitute Tom Barwell (on for the injured Jamie Morgan) fouled Charlie Blair. Blair neatly beat Turner to make it 1-1. The referee then went one better when he gave a free kick that nobody else saw 30 yard from the Ivybridge goal. Ivybridge boss Martyn King must have thought it wasn't going to be his day when the visitors score a great goal from the free kick. However, his battling side had other ideas. James Mitchell headed down Matt Strickland's free kick for Middleton to lash home a left foot volley from the edge of the box.

"I am extremely proud of the players who pulled on a green shirt today. They gave it everything and nearly beat a very good Launceston side. I would particularly like to thank Gary Turner and James Mitchell who, alongside Jamie Middleton, were excellent for us. I was also pleased with young Josh Ayres who stepped up from the under 18's and didn't look out of place on the left side of midfield," said King.

The Ivies missed out on a tie with Plymouth Argyle in the next round of the St Lukes Bowl after this defeat against Toolstation Division One outfit Elmore at Coach Road, Newton Abbot. The Ivies were decimated by injuries and unavailability of 10 players going into the game but more than held their own in first half that ended 0-0.

Elmore started the second half well and took the lead on the hour mark. Neil Robertson deflected the ball into his own net from a corner. That was the signal for Ivybridge player manager to change things around which put Elmore under sustained pressure and it was no surprise that they levelled when Joe Truelove bundled home a cross from the excellent Matt Strickland. More pressure followed but the Ivies failed to take advantage and were hit by a real sucker punch with 10 minutes to go. The home defence failed to deal with what looked like a simple clearance and were punished. Five minutes later Elmore secured their place in the next round with another goal on the break.

"We are obviously disappointed at missing out on the chance to play Argyle in the next round. On the positive side, we looked good in the second half for long period without some key players. Ultimately though, we should have put our chances away a dealt with their goals - the second one in particular. I told the players that a lack of concentration has cost us big time," said Martyn King.

The Ivies twice recovered from behind to grab a draw at The Recreation Ground. The home side started brighter and went close on a couple of occasions early on. They took the lead after half an hour when Alex Blackburn blasted home from close range following a goal mouth scramble.

Ivybridge started the second half in a more determined mood and drew level from the penalty spot. Ben Smallridge's burst into the box was halted illegally by Nick Hayman which gave Jamie Middleton the chance to smash home the spot kick. That was the signal for Spurs to apply some pressure. A half clearance by the Ivybridge defence fell to Paul Froude who made no mistake from 25 yards out. The Ivies weren't to be denied though and got the equaliser with 10 minutes remaining. Subtitute Joe Truelove caused mayhem in the home defence before beating his marker on the edge of the box and hammering a fine shot into the top corner of Ross Belotti's net.

"Overall I am please to get a result out of the game. It is never an easy place to come and we didn't help ourselves with a poor performance in the first half. However, in the second half we showed much more character and determination and were rewarded with a point," said Martyn King.

The Ivies conceded two goals in the final 5 minutes and let 3 point slip from their grasp against high-flying Torpoint. The home side started very strongly and took the lead after 5 minutes - Lance Bailey firing home from the penalty spot after a foul on Ben Smallridge. Torpoint responded with plenty of pressure and but for a couple of smart saves from Joe Tickle, would have been level at half time.

The visitors continued to apply the pressure after the break. The Ivies defence held firm until 5 minutes from time, Bailey missed an attempted clearance which eventually ended up with Ben Davies heading home the equaliser from close range. Worse was to come when Davies hooked home the winner with a minute to go.

"I'm obviously gutted to lose the game given that we were in a good position with 5 minutes to go. Having said that, we only have ourselves to blame. We surrendered the initiative after starting strongly and Torpoint put us under alot of pressure. We needed to keep the ball better but our passing and movement wasn't good enough and that led to us giving the ball away very cheaply," said Martyn King.

A fine away win at Launceston moved the Ivies up to 7th place in the Carlsberg SW Peninsula League Premier Division. Karl Curtis opened the scoring midway through the first half following some good work by Joe Truelove, the Ivies' assistant manager scored his 5th goal of the season with a low drive from the edge of the area. The Clarets hit back 10 minutes later but Ben Smallridge's goal meant the away side ended the half 2-1 up.

Launceston applied the pressure in the second half but never really threatened Joe Tickle in the Ivybridge goal thanks to some fine defending. The Ivies always looked threatening on the break with Truelove and Shaun Hulbert (twice) squandering chances to make the game safe. That finally happened with 15 minutes to go when Carlton Farnham applied the finishing touch to a great move which was started by Jamie Morgan.

"That was an excellent performance; we are starting to defend well as a team which is a big area of improvement for us. All of us were on our game and we needed to be to beat a good side like Launceston," said Martyn King.

A place in the last 16 was secured after a hard fought victory at Mill Park. The home side applied plenty of early pressure which they failed to convert into any clear cut chances. When they did get a sight on goal, former Ivybridge legend Tony Hendy shot wide. Ivybridge settled into the game midway through the first half with Ben Smallridge a constant threat down the right. He supplied a number of crosses which the home defence managed to deal with until Jamie Middleton burst clear only to see his shot smothered by the keeper.

The second half continued to be a real battle but the Ivies always looked threatening from set pieces. After having an earlier corner cleared off the line, the visitors grabbed the winner on 59 minutes. Karl Curtis' corner was met at the far post by Martyn King who headed back across goal for fellow defender Steve Hatfield to head home from a yard out. Millbrook chased an equaliser and nearly got one but for Joe Tickle tipping a free kick on to the post but the Ivies defence held firm to book an away trip to St Blazey in the next round.

"I'm please we kept a clean sheet and ground out a win. It wasn't our best performance of the season but credit must go to Millbrook for that. We are through to the next round so we achieved what we set out to do, it was also good to see Jamie Morgan and Carlton Farnham (who both came of the bench in the second half) return to action after missing the last couple of games," said Martyn King.

The Ivies got a point when they could easily have got all three in a typically heated derby match against Elburton. The home side should have taken the lead early on when Ben Smallridge made the first of his many runs into the Elburton area, only to loft the ball over the advancing Simon May and the cross bar. Elburton took the lead midway through the first half in bizarre circumstances, Joe Tickle's punch struck Karl Curtis and looped into the net for an unfortunate own goal. A flurry of yellow cards followed before the Ivies took control of the game. A fine flowing move should have seen them draw level but young striker Joe Truelove hit his shot wide.

The second half saw the home side carry on where they left off and grabbed an equaliser. A fine passing move between Lance Bailey and Ben Smallridge provided Gareth Jones with a simple tap in. Elburton were then reduced to 10 men when John Winters was sent off for a shocking challenge on Joe Truelove. Credit must go to the officials who dealt with the ensuing scenes well. The Ivies took a deserved lead on 75 minutes when Neil Robertson stabbed the ball home at the far post from a set piece. The home side failed to hold on to their lead and Elburton scrambled home the equaliser late on.

"I was really pleased with the way we played for long periods of the game. We kept our discipline and stuck to playing our game which opened them up on enough ocassions for us to win the game. The lads were down after the game but it is important that we build on that performance." Said Martyn King.

Already without Martin Mitchell, Lance Bailey, Ben Smith, Darren Wills, Richard Jones and Duncan Duthie; Ivies boss Martyn King knew the trip to high flying Falmouth would be even tougher when he received calls from Jamie Morgan and Carlton Farnham on the morning of the match informing him they were unable to play.

The Ivies started the game reasonably well and absorbed early pressure from the home side who never really threatened. That was until debutant keeper Joe Tickle dropped a cross from the left wing allowing Jamie Morrison-Hill to tap home the opener. Ivybridge's luck was summed up in in the latter stages of the first half when Darren Edwards was forced to come off with an ankle injury and Jamie Middleton, Ben Smallridge and Joe Truelove all missed chances to equalise.

Matters got worse in the second half when the linesman was literally the only person in Bickland Park thinking that the break that led to Falmouth's second goal was onside! That was quickly followed by Neil Robertson collecting his second yellow card and giving away a penalty in the process which was neatly converted by Andy Bowker. The home side secured their win moments later - punishing a tried 10 men.

"To say it was a bad day would be an understatement!" said King. "The lads worked really hard and it was very different from our defeat at Liskeard where we were awful. Falmouth's second goal killed us at a time when I fancied us to draw level, it was a shocking decision by the linesman and all the spectators in the stand behind me agreed their player was at least 5 yards offside," concluded a dejected Player Manager.

The Ivies returned to winning ways and grabbed their first home win of the season in the process. Jamie Middleton blasted home a free kick after eight minutes but Clyst battled back well and grabbed a deserved equaliser when Gareth Davis headed home a corner on the stroke of half time.

The visitors stunned the home side by taking the lead shortly after half time, Peter Darke capitalising on a rare error from Tom Buckler. The Ivies responded in the right way with Carlton Farnham heading in at the far post from Ben Smallridge's cross. Assistant Manger Karl Curtis put them in front with a smart finish from 10 yards and Jamie Middleton scored his second goal of the game following some great initial work by the impressive Jamie Morgan.

"It was great to pick up 3 points today and score a few goals in the process. We responded well after going 2-1 down and were good value for the win. I was particularly pleased for Jamie Middleton who has had a bit of a stop/start season so far, he was superb for us today," said Martyn King.

The Ivies put in a far better performance than against Liskeard but were left to reflect on several missed chances that should have seen them travel back down the A38 with 3 points. The away side started strongly with Joe Truelove's shot cleared off the line in the first minute following some excellent work from Karl Curtis.

The home side took the lead in the 25 minute against the run of play. A quickly taken corner found Matthew Scott 25 yards out who beat Tom Buckler with an excellent finish. Ivybridge had plenty of chances to draw level but Gareth Jones, Jamie Middleton and Karl Curtis all failed to hit the target when well placed. The second half began in the same vein with both Ben Smallridge and Carlton Farnham creating havoc for the home defence but as the game wore on Cully had chances of their own with Kenny Smith denied twice by Buckler. Ivybridge first team coach Ben Smith was sent off with 8 minutes remaining after picking up a second yellow card.

"I am gutted for the lads. They put in an excellent performance tonight and didn't get what they deserved. We bounced back well after our defeat at Liskeard and I was pleased with our character. It is just a shame we didn't get the result to match the improvement," said Martyn King.

The first team slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season so far, thanks to some poor defending at Lux Park. Ivybridge actually started the game reasonably well, but some very basic errors at the back meant the home side were 3-0 up at half time. To make matters worse, skipper Martin Mitchell went straight to Derriford Hospital after suffering an ankle injury midway through the first half. The second half was only marginally better as the home side ran out 5-0 winners.

"To say our defending was poor was an understatement! We have to understand that we can't defend like that in this league and expect to get any kind of result. It is frustrating because we have played far better and that is why I am sure we will bounce back. The only good news on the day was that Martin Mitchell's injury isn't as bad as we first feared and I am hoping to have him back in the next couple of weeks," said Martyn King.

Ivybridge should deem this as nothing other than a poor performance and will be kicking themselves for wasting the chance to go to the top of the new South West Peninsula League on goal difference after Parkway's Friday night defeat at home to Launceston.

The game had few bright spots but Ivybridge had more chances to break the deadlock. An amazing goalmouth scramble should have resulted in a goal but a combination of some excellent goalkeeping, goal line defending and the cross bar denied home side. Holsworthy ended the game stronger and, but for 2 fine one-on-one saves by Tom Buckler, could have left travelled back to North Devon with all 3 points.

"I wasn't happy with our performance out there today. We seemed to lack a bit of spark or somebody to take the game by the scruff of the neck. I am still wondering how the ball didn't go in during that scramble and when it didn't I knew it was going to be one of those days! In the end, I was very thankful to Tom for pulling off a couple of great saves which got us a point," said Martyn King.

The Ivies followed up last week's win over Tavistock with another excellent performance at SWP League leaders Torpoint. The away side started strongly with Carlton Farnham going close in the first 5 minutes following some good work by Gareth Jones. Shortly afterwards the impressive Ben Smallridge raced clear but his shot stuck the post. Ivybridge took the lead on 25 minutes when Karl Curtis volleyed home Jamie Morgan's corner from close range. They continued to have most of the play but only held a 1-0 lead at the break.

The Ivies started the 2nd half brightly and went 2-0 up when Smallridge beat Joey Syndercombe with a low left foot shot from the edge of the area. Joe Truelove and Jamie Middleton both had good chances to make it 3-0 but failed to beat the home keeper. Torpoint scored with 10 minutes remaining but the Ivybridge defence, with Steve Hatfield outstanding, held firm to take 3 points.

"I was very pleased with what I saw out there today," said Ivies player manager Martyn King. "I challenged the lads to show me they could improve on last week's win and they certainly did that. The encouraging thing for me is that we are improving with every game." he said.

Match Report to follow.

"We bounced back really well after some bad luck against Parkway and really deserved to get 3 points today. To come here and beat such a quality side as Tavistock shows we we are improving all the time. Let's not forget that we were without Lance Bailey, Shaun Hulbert, Jamie Middleton, Neil Robertson, Darren Edwards, Andy Parsons and Duncan Duthie for this game so the squad has responded well. I'm particularly pleased for 3 young lads, Carlton Farnham, Joe Truelove and Mark Smith who played really well:" Said a delighted Martyn King.

Had both teams taken their chances, double figures would have been a certainty in an open and fast flowing game at Erme Valley last night. Ivybridge striker Carlton Farnham suffered more than most in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula Premier Division clash. He hit the crossbar on three occasions while Parkway goalkeeper Dave Painter denied him three times.

Ivybridge started brightly and had the better of it in the first 22 minutes and it was the hosts who opened the scoring. Farnham curled a great effort onto the bar and when the ball came out to Martin Mitchell, he was scythed down from behind by Lee Doel. And Jamie Middleton sent Painter the wrong way from the spot.

However, home celebrations did not last long, because within two minutes Parkway were level. Paul Quinn's cross found Mark Berry ghosting in to shoot first time past Tom Buckler in goal.

Ivybridge came back at their visitors with Middleton heading wide before Farnham deflected Jamie Morgan's free-kick onto the bar with Parkway defender Ian Symons heading the loose ball clear from on the line.

Parkway silenced the home crowd on 34 minutes when Danny Brook's cross found its way to the unmarked Shane Powell, who fired through Buckler's legs.

Just to prove that Ivybridge and Farnham's luck was out he hit the bar for a third time before a great save from Buckler turned Jon Morris' drive onto the woodwork.

Parkway were much improved after the break and it was former Ivybridge striker Berry who gave the visitors breathing space with another clinical finish on 69 minutes.

The scoring was completed nine minutes later when Doel's effort came back off the woodwork for Ryan Fice to steer into an empty net and move his side up to second in the table.

"The scoreline certainly doesn't reflect the game and at times we played some good stuff. However, we conceded at crucial stages of the game thanks to some quality finishing from Mark Berry. The lads worked really hard tonight and didn't get what they deserved." said Martyn King.

A good workout for the Bridgers against a young and committed team from North Devon. The opening exchanges were fairly even until the Ivybridge midfield took control of the game with Bailey and Morgan showing off their passing game. Ivybridge should have took the lead in the first half with Bailey, Edwards and Smallridge all going close.

The second half continued in the same vain with Edwards, Truelove and Robertson all going close before Smallridge struck the opener with a superb low volley from the edge of the area on the hour. Mitchell went close shortly afterwards and it wasn't until the last kick of the game that the Ivies got their second, courtesy of a tap in from Gareth Jones.

"I was pleased with our shape and commitment and defensively we looked solid. There are always areas in which any team can improve though and I look forward to the game against HMS Drake on Thursday when we can make another step in the right direction:" said Martyn King

An excellent work out for both teams at Greenaway Lane. Ivybridge started well and took the lead midway through the first half when Darren Edwards powered home a header from a cross by the excellent Ben Smith. Ivybridge then lost striker Jamie Middleton to injury but Budleigh were always a threat with their 3 man attack of Danny Williams, Danny Hall and Jamie Densham and it was the latter who stole in at the far post for the equaliser just before half time.

Budleigh started the 2nd half well but were denied by some great defending from the impressive Matt Strickland, Steve Hatfield and Tom Buckler who produced a couple of smart saves. Budleigh's winner came on 70 minutes after good work by Densham who set up Williams for a simple tap in. Ivybridge bounced back well a were close to drawing level on a number of occasions but great saves by the Budleigh keeper denied both Jamie Morgan and Darren Edwards.

"I was very pleased our performance against a strong Budleigh side. Considering we were without Lance Bailey (who's wife gave birth to a baby girl on the morning of the match), Shaun Hulbert, Darren Wills, Ben Smallridge, Neil Robertson and Gary Turner; we coped very well." Said Martyn King.

Game postponed. Waterlogged pitch.

Game postponed by opposition.

No Match report available.