Ilminster Unlucky To Come Away With Nothing

Today saw Ilminster host Marine Academy Plymouth, a side who sit second in the league, having only lost one of their league matches this season, and that was to table topping Buckland.

The squad was unchanged from Town’s last outing. The game started with real promise for Ilminster, who created a good number of chances in the opening 10 minutes of the game.

Neither team could quite find that all important opening goal, but it was Ilminster who looked the most likely to score Erin Bloomfield, Colette Martin and Maisie Parker with perhaps the best chances for the hosts. The teams did go into half time at 0-0, with it all to play for in the second half.

Again the half started much the same for Ilminster, creating numerous chances but couldn’t quite find a way of getting the ball into the back of the net. But the time did come in the 65th minute, when Colette Martin managed to find a pocket of space and pick up the ball around 25 yards from goal, a touch towards the box and she sweetly struck the ball into the back of the net. Ilminster had a good chance to upset the visitor here!

At this point Marine Academy did start to find a little bit of space in some areas of the pitch, and created a handful of half chances, not going down easily! Ilminster again tried to find a second goal, but no matter what they tried they couldn’t quite find that goal that would put the game beyond doubt.

Ilminster did unfortunately find themselves back on level terms, when in the 80th minute a ball in the area that wasn’t quite dealt with by Town, bounced around and the Plymouth attacker looped the ball just under the cross bar, Charlotte Johnson in the Town net, getting agonisingly close to getting something on this one!

Marine Academy then took the lead a matter of minutes later, when the MAP striker found herself in some space in the Ilminster 18 yard box, just before she pulled the trigger Ilminster Captain Sarah Miller put in a great challenge to block the shot, but her efforts were to no avail as the ball just snuck its way into the far side of the net, some bad fortune for Town!

Despite their best efforts Ilminster couldn’t find a leveller, and somehow found themselves on the wrong end of this result, but having nothing to be ashamed of, and plenty of positives can be taken from the performance.

Player of the game for today was the ever present Dana Andrews in defence, leaving nothing on the pitch, and putting everything into her challenges as usual!

Ilminster do have another league game this coming Wednesday (25th April) Away to Buckland Athletic Ladies, who are the table toppers!

Starting Line-Up: Charlotte Johnson, Shannon Crouch, Daisy Charles, Dana Andrews, Charlie Pettinger, Megan Purchase, Sarah Miller(C), Maisie Parker, Amy Burge, Colette Martin, Erin Bloomfield. Substitution: Hannah Billing

Sam Clarke- First Team Assistant Manager