Peppermints continue sensational league form at Ivybridge Town

PROMOTION-chasing Newquay achieved their sixth league win in seven games at Erme Valley on Saturday off the back of another outstanding defensive display.

Jack Bray-Evans and Callam McOnie scored the goals as the Peppermints kept their seventh successive clean sheet in the league against hard-working Ivybridge.

You have to go back to October 3 to find the last time they conceded a league goal – in a 2-1 defeat at play-off rivals Bridgwater United.

On Saturday, Newquay created the chances to have been two or three goals ahead by the 15th minute, but a combination of hesitant finishing and excellent goalkeeping by Kane Gregory prevented them from opening their account.

Having survived that start, Ivybridge worked their way back into the game and it took an excellent save by Shaun Semmens to deny Kaycee Ogwu puttinh them ahead.

But just before half-time Louis Price was tripped as he was about to shoot from 15 yards, and Bray-Evans stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

Newquay started the second half confidently and doubled their lead in the 56th minute when a cross from wide on the left by Bray-Evans was helped on its way into the net by McOnie’s touch.

With a two-goal cushion, the visitors sat deep to restrict Ivybridge to long-range efforts, while they were still a threat on the break and substitute Ollie Matthews came close to making it 3-0 late on.

Newquay boss Shaun Middleton said: “It was a solid performance yesterday. I don’t feel we were at our best. Nevertheless, we still created lots of opportunities and it didn’t look like Ivybridge really created much or posed any danger to our defence. I feel we completely dominated the game, and if we’re being honest, it could’ve been four, five or six nil.”

He went on: “The boys are on a really good run of defensive performances together in the league. Unfortunately our cup form in between league games has been a bit up-and-down, so we need to keep ourselves to be more consistent and prepared for every game that comes our way

“We’re going into a period now where we only play once a week, so the lads can get some recovery time. We’ve been playing two games a week consistently now for eight weeks, so I really do take my hat to the players, because they’ve been absolutely amazing.

“It was also great to have Jacob (Kevern) coming back yesterday from a dislocated shoulder, but unfortunately we look like we’ve lost Jack Bray-Evans to a serious injury. It’s a real shame for Jack because he’s been in such good form and he’s a key player to what we’re doing this season. Hopefully it’s not as bad as first thought, but we will have to wait and see.”

Newquay, who moved up fourth and are averaging exactly two points a game from their 18 outings so far, are back in action on Saturday when they host second bottom Brislington (3pm).

NEWQUAY: Shaun Semmens; Jacob Kevern, Harry Downing (capt), Cam Turner, Jamie Edlin; Connor Paine (Ross Fallens, 79), Callam McOnie (Ollie Matthews, 82), Matt Searle, Tim Nixon, Jack Bray-Evans (Alex Cole, 63); Louis Price. Sub not used: Shaun Middleton.

Peppermints’ man-of-the-match: Connor Paine.