Ivybridge Town 1 Newquay 7

Newquay have finally arrived as a proper Western League team after a statement performance and Jamie Lowry-inspired victory at a saturated Erme Valley on Wednesday evening.

Almost two months into their first season at this level, the Peppermints’ attacking potential exploded inside one 90 minutes as an uncharacteristically disorganised Ivybridge were ripped apart in the pouring rain.

Newquay scored seven goals and could have had more as the woodwork denied them three times and Ivy keeper Jason Peters made a brilliant save late on to prevent substitute Ben Shaw making it 8-1.

Quite how Lowry wasn’t on the scoresheet is a mystery but he was the architect of the win, playing his part in several of the goals as the outstanding player on the pitch.

There were two goals apiece for Jack Bray-Evans, Louis Price and Rhys Simmonds with Tom Shepherd getting the other goal.

Kaycee Ogwu had given Ivybridge an eighth minute lead before the visitors went on the rampage.

Newquay manager Shaun Middleton said: “I was really pleased for the boys last night; it was a superb performance with some special goals.

“We’ve been knocking on the door with some games but not quite clicked completely but could see it was close.

“Luckily last night it clicked which was great. It’s hard to pick out individual players as they were all superb, the whole 16. But I thought Jamie Lowry was different class.

“On to Saturday now (Cullompton away in the FA Vase) where we need to keep up these performances.”

Ivybridge joint manager Brad Gargett said: “It was an uncharacteristic performance from us, from what we expect and have produced already this season.

“We started really well but a cheap set piece has led to a collapse and some individual errors. Credit to Newquay, who played well, but we haven’t responded or given a fair account of what our group should have.

“We have to manage what is in our control, our game management and application is something we have to address.

“And we will quickly, the group have shown those qualities and we have a good honest group.”

Ironically Ivybridge started strongly and it was no surprise when Ogwu gave them the lead with a close range finish after a sweeping move along the right.

But three minutes later it was all square as a corner from the left found Bray-Evans unmarked and he headed powerfully into the net.

The Peppermints swept ahead in the 20th minute when a long ball from Tom Moxham picked out Price, who showed strength as he held off a defender before executing a brilliant lob over keeper Peters into the net.

Four minutes later it was 3-1 when Price was in the right place to slide in to convert another probing right wing ball from Shepherd.

A shell-shocked home side somehow restricted the damage until the break and must have been hoping for a significant improvement after a half-time lecture from managers Ben Washam and Brad Gargett.

But within 30 seconds Newquay almost stretched their lead when a 20 yard shot from Bray-Evans sailed over Peters and crashed against the foot of the post before being cleared.

The pressure from the away side was relentless and they did make it 4-1 in the 51st minute with Shepherd getting in on the act from Lowry’s pass.

It was then time for Newquay’s young star Simmonds to join the party, scoring their fifth goal just before the hour before being involved in the move which ended with Bray-Evans making it 6-1 10 minutes later.

To their credit Ivybridge continued to battle but their defensive frailty was laid bare in the 81st minute when a Newquay break finished with Simmonds grabbing his second goal.

At no stage did Newquay look like sitting on their lead, such was their attacking intent, and only a brilliant fingertip save from Peters in the last minute prevented Shaw from getting their eighth goal.

Ivybridge: J Peters, C Patterson, H Baugh, D Tate (N Lang), J Cook, S Hillson, J Smelt (O Howard), J Pope, J Simmonds (J Johnson), R Smith (C Trewin), K Ogwu (K Burrell).

Goal: K Ogwu (8 minutes).

Newquay: E Elwell, J Edlin (O Butterworth), T Moxham, C Turner, H Downing, L Potts (R Fallens), T Shepherd, R Simmonds, J Lowry (A Dilley), J Bray-Evans (D Carne), L Price (Shaw).

Goals: J Bray-Evans 2 (11, 69), L Price 2 (20, 24), R Simmonds 2 (59, 81), T Shepherd (51).

Referee: M Bird.