OLLIE Aplin’s early breakthrough was nullified on Wednesday night as Ivybridge Town came from behind to beat Bovey Tracey 4-1 at Mill Marsh.

Aplin had Bovey in front within the opening 10 minutes but goals from Dane Hewings, Connor Rush and Luke Forward (2) turned the Peninsula Premier East tie around and extended Ivybridge’s unbeaten run to 12 games.

‘They’re a very good side and they’re unbeaten for a reason,’ said Bovey manager Tony Radford.

‘We only played them a month ago and took a point from them, away, which we thought was a good point. They’re hungry; the 11 players, everyone on the bench and the management team. 

‘We’re lacking confidence and it probably wasn’t a 4-1 game but you could see that difference. I thought our effort was good and we scored a good goal from a set piece so I’m frustrated.’

Bovey pushed themselves ahead after only eight minutes when Callum Leech swung an inch-perfect corner delivery on to the head of Aplin, who glanced home from the front post.

But once Ivybridge settled they took charge, neatly stroking the ball around and beginning to apply pressure on the Moorlanders’ defence. Ivybridge drew level 10 minutes later when Hewings thumped home through a crowd of bodies after reacting first to a parry from Dom Aplin.

The league leaders then went ahead on 26 minutes when Jack Alexander got the better of Tom Cavanagh after one of his trademark explosive runs down the left flank and drilled the ball across the area for Rush, in the centre, to squeeze home.

‘For us [the plan] was to pack the midfield because that’s what they do,’ said Radford. 

‘We had AJ [Alangel Joseph] with the pace he’s got wide, Ollie [Aplin] in the middle of the pitch to score goals – we do put crosses in and sometimes he’s not always there but I just wanted energy today. 

‘If we could have hung on until half-time we then could’ve rejigged it and planned it but they’re a good side. The thing that frustrates me most is that they didn’t cut us open, we gifted goals more so which is frustrating because we looked quite solid but it’s individual mistakes which let them in, and that has to stop.’

Ivybridge wrapped things up with two goals in the final 15 minutes, both coming from substitute Forward. The striker made it three on 78 minutes when the Ivies waltzed through a leggy Bovey side and he was on hand to convert from close range. Further gloss was added to the scoreline three minutes from time when he took advantage of a slip at the back and fired in off the base of the right post.

‘We’re lacking a bit of confidence right now,’ Radford admitted. 

‘[We have to] remind them how good they are. We’re at home again [against Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police] in a couple days, and I said to the boys, ‘the best thing about football is that we go again in a couple days,’ and that really is the best thing. 

‘I always ask players to – and I do this myself – spend half an hour thinking about the game, thinking about yourself and thinking about what you’ve done, good, bad or ugly. 

‘Saturday we go again, and I’ll be reminding them that they are good players.'