SUBSTITUTE Owen Pritchard came off the bench to score a second half hat-trick as league leaders Ivybridge Town eased to a 6-0 home win over Dartmouth in the South West Peninsula League at Erme Valley on Easter Saturday, writes Graham Hambly.

Nearly 400 spectators – including the Peninsula League’s groundhopping group – were treated to a closely contested first half in which Ivybridge had to wait until the 40th minute before opening the scoring with a shot from Connor Rush, who came on as an early substitute when Fletcher Williams went off with a hamstring injury.

The second half saw Ivybridge take control following the introduction of substitutes Pritchard and Bailey Mabin.

Pritchard increased the lead in the 63rd minute with a header from a corner on the left and added another with an angled shot 11 minutes later.

Mabin, who made a significant impact following his introduction to the game, was rewarded with a goal from a smartly executed finish in the 78th minute and Pritchard completed his hat-trick with a shot three minutes later.

Rush then rounded off the scoring with his 11th goal of the season in the first minute of added time.

Ivybridge might well have added a few more goals to their score but for a number of excellent saves by Joe Moroney, who had an outstanding game in the Dartmouth goal.

Ivybridge went into the game with a reshuffled defence in which Curtis Legrice switched from right back to cover for unavailable left back Jake Lane while Jacob Smelt turned in a man of the match performance at right back.

Joint manager Wayne Gamble said: “Jacob was solid throughout the game and shaded the man of the match award from Bailey Mabin, who showed outstanding anticipation during his 30 minutes on the pitch. In addition to scoring his goal, he also helped set up two or three others.”

This latest result sees Ivybridge 26 points clear at the top of the East Division on 71 points, a total that can only be matched by Crediton, who would need to win all their remaining nine matches.

It means that Ivybridge need one more point to be mathematically certain of winning the championship, but Gamble says: “We still have lots to play for. We want to finish with as many points and score as many goals as possible.”

There are still five fixtures remaining, including three home games, starting with a match against Okehampton on Wednesday evening (April 3) and finishing with a clash against title rivals Crediton on Saturday April 20, when it is expected that Peninsula League officials will be attending to present the championship trophy to Ivybridge.