Ivybridge Town Football Club   PRESS RELEASE   Issued – February 5, 2025   Plymouth Parkway 1, Ivybridge Town 1 (Ivybridge won 7-6 on penalties)   A DRAMATIC penalty shoot-out saw Ivybridge Town book their place in the semi-finals of the Devon County St Luke’s Cup following a 1-1 draw away to Plymouth Parkway on Tuesday evening (Feb 4). It was a particularly impressive performance by Ivybridge against a team who play two levels above them in the Southern League Premier Division South. Ivybridge battled well throughout the match and always looked in with a chance against their senior opponents. It was not until the 65th minute that Parkway achieved the breakthrough with a goal from Callum Hall. Ivybridge responded well with Rio Daly going close to equalising before a foul on Bailey Mabin earned them a stoppage time penalty. Substitute Chris Wright, playing against his former club, kept his nerve to fire home the spot kick in the fourth minute of added time. He then took the first kick in the penalty shoot-out only to see his effort saved by home goalkeeper James Morley. That failure was balanced, however, when Ivybridge goalkeeper Jordan Duffey saved Parkway’s third spot kick by Mikey Williams. Meanwhile Mabin, Daly Jake Lane and Owen Pritchard all hit the target for Ivybridge to keep the scores level at 4-4 going into the sudden death stage. Then skipper Scott Pocock, Ollie Aplin and Rhys McShane did the necessary for Ivybridge while Liam Manchip fired over for Parkway to leave Ivybridge as 7-6 winners. Ivybridge joint manager Wayne Gamble said: “I felt that was one of the better performances I have witnessed as Ivybridge manager against a team like that. “We were a bit unsure what players they would be using but when we saw their line-up we knew they were at full strength. “We had a game plan to break it down into quarters and the longer it went on without conceding we felt we had a chance. Our shape was so good. The boys listened to every single instruction that I gave them and the discipline we showed was fantastic. “They are two leagues above us, but we outfoxed them all around the park. They were sharper, but I think on fitness levels there was not much difference between the teams. “The goal we conceded was a cheap one to give away. We got fresh legs on including two 18-year-old boys in Rio Daly and Rhys McShane. We are not scared to put our youngsters this sort of game. We back our players.” Gamble explained that after going behind, Ivybridge switched formation and Parkway started to run out of steam, adding: “We were picking up the second balls. They were making mistakes and then a bit of intelligent play from Bailey Mabin has won the penalty late on. “It was great composure from Chris Wright to slot it away.” Gamble explained that Wright had driven three hours from the Welton area to get to the match and did not arrive until half an hour before kick-off. He took the last gasp penalty because recognised penalty taker Sean Thomson had been replaced during the second half. Gamble explained: “Chrissy Wright had been on the substitutes bench, but we had put him on. This was his stomping ground and he scored 30 or 40 goals a season when he played for Parkway, so he knows this place inside and out. “Then he missed the first one on the shoot-out. I could see he was a bit disappointed. But that’s what your teammates are for. They dug him out. He was brave enough to take that one in the 90th minute”. Defender Jake Lane, who played much of the game in midfield, took the man of the match honours for Ivybridge. “Jake was our man of the match,” said Gamble. “I asked him to switch to left back for the last 20 minutes and he just pipped Curtis Legrice for it but there were so many good performances out there. “As soon as it went to the shoot-out, I said we have got the best keeper here with Jordan Duffey. They were brilliant penalties, but I back Jordan to save one or do something.