Ibe has played close to the capital before, notably with Ryman League outfits Aylesbury United and Staines Town before his switch to the Glovers in the summer of 2004. Ibe’s contract was a steep learning curve, and with the likes of Phil Jevons, Bartosz Tarachulski and Andrejs Stolcers in front of him in the queue, his release was somewhat inevitable as the green-and-white army marched into League One.

The 22-year-old has been attempting to secure a new deal by hawking his talents around the country, including a return to Staines, playing against Reading, and also a trial for Aldershot Town, where he featured as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers. On Tuesday night, he scored the opening goal in an uninspiring display against Maldon Town, tapping home comfortably after Mitchell Cole had struck the crossbar.

Steve Tilson, despite the overall comedy value of his trialists, had good things to say about his number six: “Kesie did alright and took his goal well,” he said to the Southend Evening Echo, “He will still be with us for Saturday’s game but I am not sure whether he will play.”

After his spell at with the Ducks, Ibe made a profitable move to Staines, which prompted the interest from Yeovil. He netted 19 goals in 46 League games for Town, and added a further seven in the FA Cup and FA Trophy competitions, where he bagged braces in wins over Barking & East Ham United and Burgess Hill Town in Staines’ run to the fourth round and eventual defeat to Halifax Town. His best moment there came in a 4-3 win over Bracknell Town in Ryman Division One (South), where he scored all four.

Ibe’s time at Yeovil was restricted to three substitute appearances, the first coming against Boston United on the second weekend of the season six minutes from the end. He managed to rack up a further 31 minutes in home clashes with Rushden & Diamonds and local rivals Bristol Rovers.

In between the latter two games, the youngster spent a month away over Christmas, having recovered from a broken wrist, at Exeter City in the Nationwide Conference. There he managed his first goal, in his first start, at Tamworth to help the Grecians secure a 2-1 win. He also featured in matches against Hereford United and Barnet, two of the League’s front-runners, without adding to his goalscoring tally.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com