Ivybridge are currently 9th in the Western League Premier Division and are unbeaten in their last four games. Last time out they thrashed in-form Barnstaple Town 5-2 at Erme Valley. Prior to that, the Ivies had consecutive draws against Bridgwater, Wellington, and Oldland Abbotonians.

The Robins have gone three games unbeaten after a 1-1 draw with league leaders Yate, a 3-0 win at Cribbs and were only denied three points at Shaftesbury by an equaliser deep into injury time. Bideford however come into tonight’s semi final understrength due to a number of players being unavailable, injured or cup-tied.

Sean Joyce and his management team have had great difficulty in pulling a side together for this county cup tie but is very clear where his focus is.

Sean Joyce: “It’s been a nightmare preparing for this game, I don’t have this many problems getting ready for a Southern League game, let alone a Devon Bowl tie. What with the injuries we’ve got and players that are cup-tied. I was ready to bring in a couple of players who’ve played in the previous rounds only to find out they’re now not eligible for the semi finals which is crazy.”

“The fact of the matter is, my priority is Saturday against Didcot and keeping this club in the Southern League, something that is getting harder and harder each season with the money that’s being spent. Yeah, I know our supporters want us to get to the final and play Barnstaple, but it’s just not a priority for me. It’s taken so much time and effort trying to get a side together that’s fit and eligible to play in this competition. We won’t be at full strength, we can’t risk more injuries ahead of Saturday. Honestly, myself, I didn’t want to play it (the semi final) as we’re beyond stretched, but the club decision as a whole was to play it, so we’ll do the best we can with what we’ve got and some youngsters. If we get through then great, but I’ll say it again, staying in the Southern League is bigger than any Devon Bowl win.”

Bideford’s last six (DLLDWD) Pos 15th Pld 35 W10 D12 L13 Pts 42
29/03/25 Shaftesbury 3 Bideford 3 (League)
25/03/25 Cribbs 0 Bideford 3 (League)
22/03/25 Bideford 1 Yate Town 1 (League)
15/03/25 Larkhall Athletic 2 Bideford 1 (League)
11/03/25 Evesham United 3 Bideford 1 (League)
08/03/25 Bideford 1 Thatcham Town 1 (League)

Ivybridge Town’s last six (LLDDDW) Pos 9th Pld 35 W14 D9 L12 Pts 51
29/03/25 Ivybridge Town 5 Barnstaple Town 2 (League)
22/03/25 Ivybridge Town 1 Oldland Abbotonians 1 (League)
19/03/25 Ivybridge Town 1 Wellington 1 (League)
15/03/25 Bridgwater United 0 Ivybridge Town 0 (League)
12/03/25 Ivybridge Town 1 Brixham 2 (League)
08/03/25 Ivybridge Town 1 Nailsea & Tickenham 2 (League)

A Brief History of Ivybridge Town FC
Ivybridge Town FC were founded in 1925 and played locally in the Plymouth & District League, then the Plymouth & District Combination for the majority of the 20th century. They became founder members of the Devon County League in 1992 where they played for 15 years and winning the league title in 2005/06. The Ivies then became founder members of the South West Peninsula League in 2007 and played there until they won the title in 2023/24 which earned them promotion to the Western League Premier Division.

Ivybridge Town FC
Erme Valley
Ermington Road
Ivybridge
Devon
PL21 9ES
Web: https://www.ivybridgefc.com
Twitter: @Ivytownfc

Previous meetings:
25/02/09 Ivybridge Town 3 Bideford 2 (St Luke’s Cup R1)