Ilminster Go Third; Following Impressive Home Victory

This Sunday saw Ilminster host Bishops Lydeard; a win would see Ilminster jump into 3rd spot in the league, ahead of their opponents.
The overnight weather and early afternoon rain meant there was a pitch inspection before kick-off; but the game went ahead.

Both teams tried to create early chances, with Charlotte Johnson in goal for Ilminster having to clear up a couple of balls through the defence; but it was Ilminster who created the first meaningful chance of the opening exchanges; and this put them ahead in the 4th minute.

A great bit of work down the right hand side, saw Georgia Coward whip a ball into the box, which found captain Sarah Miller, who expertly touched the ball down with her chest, and dispatched the ball home on the volley into the bottom left hand corner, leaving the keeper no chance. A great goal.

Ilminster kept up their early pressure; but Bishops Lydeard also kept trying to create chances. Ilminster went the closest to scoring another goal in this half on two occasions, through Colette Martin and Abbie Carslake; who both forced good saves out of the Bishops Lydeard keeper. Ilminster went in at half time ahead with the score at 1-0.

Ilminster came out firing early in the second half; and this early pressure told once again, and they were able to double their lead in the 48th minute this time through Abbie Carslake. Colette Martin wriggled her way past a couple of defenders and played the ball to the feet of Abbie, who on the edge of the 18-yard box, hit the ball home just under the cross bar and above the keeper.

It only took Ilminster 10 minutes to extend their lead further. A ball down the right hand side that looked like it was going to go out of play, was delightfully crossed into the box by Graziely Esperanca, and it found Colette Martin at the far post, who calmly placed the ball into the bottom left hand corner on the volley. 3-0 Ilminster.

Both teams kept trying to get more goals; but Bishops Lydeard were slowly working their way into more dangerous positions. The visitors were able to score a goal to make the late stages of the game more interesting; when in the 77th minute, a ball over the top of the defence found a Lydeard attacker, who calmly tucked the ball home into the bottom right hand corner.

After a nervy last few minutes, Ilminster were able to keep their two-goal advantage and win this encounter 3-1. A great team performance today, with every player working hard to ensure that Ilminster came out on top. The back four defended superbly, and the midfield ensured nothing was easy; the attack did the rest and made sure of the 3 points!

Player of the game for today was Captain Sarah Miller (sponsored by Mitchams Chartered Accountants); who as always never stopped running and made sure that the opponents never had a moments rest on the ball; she even scored a great goal!

Next week Ilminster travel to second in the league Callington; a win for Town would put them 2nd in the table!

Goal scorers: Sarah Miller (sponsored by Mitchams Chartered Accountants), Abbie Carslake (sponsored by Wright Tree Surgery & Landscaping), Colette Martin (sponsored by Coleman Plumbing & Heating ltd)

Starting 11: Charlotte Johnson, Georgia Coward, Dana Andrews, Daisy Charles, Maisie Parker, Sarah Miller (C), Charlie Pettinger, Georgia Mann, Colette Martin, Graziely Esperanca, Abbie Carslake
Substitutes (all used): Hannah Billing, Nicola Johnson, Holly Ward.

Sam Clarke- Ilminster Town Ladies First Team Assistant Manager