Ashes exit Les Phillips Cup against Ivybridge despite Powell opener

A SUPERB headed goal by Dan Tate midway through the second half proved to be the winner for Ivybridge as they recovered from a nightmare start to beat Saltash at Kimberley Stadium on Tuesday evening.

With the tie nicely poised at 1-1 in the 68th minute, Colin Pritchard found space on the right wing and outpaced his marker before sending in a pinpoint cross which Tate stretched to send a bullet header past home keeper Jordan Duffey.

The quality of the build-up and the finish deserved to win a cup tie, even though Saltash had opportunities after that to equalise.

The Ashes had made a great start, taking the lead with only 80 seconds played as Kieran O’Melia’s pass allowed George Powell to finish from close-range after two efforts on goal had been blocked in the six-yard area.

It was close to being 2-0 in the 10th minute with some desperate defending by the visitors on and around their goal-line just about preventing Deacon Thomson and Kieran O’Melia from scoring.

But two minutes later Ivybridge were level when centre-half Joe Cook latched onto a free-kick from the left to send a looping effort over Duffey into the net.

Saltash responded strongly up to half-time with a dominant display, orchestrated by the outstanding Fin Wilkes from midfield.

Thomson headed a 34th minute corner over the bar from close-range, and three minutes later the best move of the half involving Wilkes and O’Melia saw Jack Jefford drive his shot across the face of goal and wide.

There was a scare for the home side just before the break when an attempted headed clearance by defender Sam Hillson flew inches wide of his own goal with Duffey beaten.

But the Ashes started the second half well with Powell spurning a 49th minute chance, before a great run along the right from Jefford ended with a superb low cross which only needed a tap-in; alas, there was nobody there.

Saltash seemed to lose their rhythm around the hour mark with substitutions on both sides breaking up the action, and they were caught cold by Tate’s brilliant finish.

One of the subs, Dylan Holgate, almost got the Ashes level in the 75th minute with a powerful shot from 15 yards, but Ivybridge keeper Kane Gregory was equal to it with a superb save to tip the ball over the bar.

With the tie moving into time added on, Saltash carved out one more big chance as O’Melia played in Thomson, but his shot went wide with Holgate just unable to connect with the ball near the far post.

SALTASH UNITED: Jordan Duffey; Jack Jefford (Frazer Ferris, 65), Hayden Greening, Sam Hillson, Sam Joce, Charlie Elkington (Ben Goulty, 62), Kieran O’Melia, Freddie Tolcher (Dylan Holgate, 55), Deacon Thomson, Fin Wilkes, George Powell (Joe Preece, 68). Sub not used: Harry Truscott.

IVYBRIDGE TOWN: Kane Gregory; Ryan Geach, Jake Lane, James Forrest, Joe Cook, Nick Salop, Dan Tate (Dan Vile, 75), Josh Pope (Owen Howard, 40), Josh Johnson, Colin Pritchard, Alfie Slough (Chris Harvey, 60). Sub not used: Calum Fyfe.

Men-of-the-match: Saltash United – Fin Wilkes; Ivybridge Town – Joe Cook.