SWPL premier division
Ivybridge Town 4,
Saltash United 3
Ivybridge Town will be hoping to carry on where they left off against table-topping Saltash when they tackle Witheridge at Erme Valley on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.30pm writes Tim Leigh.
Town were left to rue a careless 2-1 defeat to Callington last Saturday after they showed just what they're made of on Tuesday night to beat the league leaders in a seven-goal thriller at the valley.
The game against Callington Town had to be switched to Erme Valley due to Callington's pitch being unplayable, but a disastrous first quarter of an hour saw them concede two cheap goals.
From then on they were always chasing the game, and although they pulled a goal back they couldn't do any more.
Ivybridge Town general manager Brian Howard felt his side may have taken the three points for granted, saying: 'We were very disappointing on Saturday.
'We conceded two goals through bad defending early on and so we were always chasing the game. We probably deserved a point, but we were expecting to win and maybe that was the problem.'
If he was upset at that result, the way his side responded was nothing short of magnificent.
Four goals from right out of the top drawer overcame the challenge of the Ashes, who tried to pull off a phoenix-like comeback but could not quite do it.
Howard described the game as the best his side have been involved in all season, with both sides eager to provide the crowd with entertainment.
The first goal was scored by player-coach Mark Berry, who found the top of the top corner from six yards outside the penalty area. Howard said it was the best goal he has ever seen scored at Erme Valley and gave his side a deserved lead.
With the half continuing at frantic pace, Mike Smith doubled Town's lead with a cool finish before Saltash pulled one back just before half-time.
A free kick on the edge of the area saw Town 'keeper Josh Oak pull off a good initial save, but he was powerless to stop the rebound being tucked away.
Saltash showed why they are sitting pretty at the top of the table as their fightback continued after the break, equalising with a goal Howard felt was caused by sloppy defending.
In a pulsating encounter, the Bridgers forged ahead once more on 75 minutes, Luke Brown showing magic footwork to bamboozle two defenders on the left before feeding Steve Sutton for another superb goal.
Again, though, Saltash came back at them, drawing level for the second time in the match to set up a gripping finale.
Todd Hanrahan was the hero for Ivybridge with five minutes left to play, letting fly with a scorcher from the edge of the area to ensure the points stayed at Erme Valley.
As Howard said, this match again showed Town can compete with the big boys of the league, and they will be hoping to pick up as many points as possible in their remaining games, starting against Witheridge on Tuesday.