Ladies Firsts Are History Makers

The ladies hit the road again this week with a trip up the M5 to Bristol Ladies Union. A good result would see Ilminster make club history by reaching the FA Cup first round proper for the first time.

Ilminster traveled with a squad similar to the previous week, but with Hannah Billing and Lauren Paul being added.
Bristol Ladies Union play their football in the division below Ilminster; but with a fairly unknown challenge awaiting, Ilminster prepared well and were ready at the whistle.

It was fairly even in the opening exchanges with the quick, youthful home team closing down Ilminster well and Ilminster struggled to find a bit of quality with the final ball. Once Ilminster settled into the game they started moving the ball around well and the breakthrough came when good play by Sian Chapman threaded the oppositions defence and Harrie Kelly finished well by tucking the ball into the corner.

This was what Ilminster needed and two further goals came in the next ten minutes. Another great through ball by Chapman met a well timed run by Abbie Carslake who slotted home and a second for Kelly when Georgia Coward broke the back line with a forward pass.

HALF TIME Bristol Ladies Union 0 – 3 ILMINSTER

A couple of changes at half time saw Maisie Parker and Charlie Pettinger introduced. Ilminster were now in full flow with some great football being played. It didn’t take long for in form Chapman to find Parker with a diagonal ball, who volleyed home the fourth.
Kelly completed her hatrick a couple minutes later to make it 5-0.
A free kick on the corner of the 18 yard box saw the left foot of Parker get the sixth around the 75 th minute. Ilminster kept good possession, and played some good football for the 7th which saw Carslake score her second for the day. A couple of minutes later Carslake completed her hatrick which a great strike.

Final Score 0-8

A great result and good team performance saw Ilminster take the win and progress into the next round.
UPDATE - Ilminster have been drawn at home to Sherborne Town Ladies in the first round - Game to be played Sunday 14th November 1pm

Player of the Match for Ilminster was Sian Chapman who was always looking to get on the ball, dictated the pace of the game and created plenty of chances for the forward players.

AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OFF, ILMINSTER ARE BACK TO LEAGUE ACTION NEXT SUNDAY AS THEY TRAVEL TO SHERBORNE FC - 2PM KICK OFF

SQUAD: Charlotte Johnson, Georgia Coward, Sam Burnham, Georgia Mann, Dana Andrews, Sarah Stuckey (c), Sian Chapman, Abi Meyer, Harrie Kelly, Jodi Cornwall, Abbie Carslake.
SUBS: Maisie Parker (USED), Charlie Pettinger (USED), Lauren Paul (USED), Hannah Billing (UNUSED)