History-making Ladies Win Again

FA Cup action returned to the Archie Gooch Pavilion this Sunday with a History making day for Ilminster and Sherborne; who both reached the FA Cup First round for the first time in their history.

Ilminster named an unchanged starting eleven from the previous week's league fixture, still missing Abbie Carslake through sickness and Colette Martin; still only well enough for a role on the bench.

Ilminster welcomed their youth teams in as mascots and ball girls for the day and a big crowd filtered into the Archie Gooch Pavilion for this local derby. Before kick off a two minute silence was also observed to remember those that had fallen serving our country.

Ilminster attacking the Bradfords end started slowly, struggling for any rhythm and unable to really get a hold of the game; and it was Sherborne out on the front foot wanting to prove they were not going to give Ilminster an easy ride after Ilminster had taken six points from them in the league.

Ilminster won a corner around the 18th minute mark and the resulting ball in from Maisie Parker found Jodi Cornwall to nod home, slightly against the run of play but just the foot hold in the game Ilminster were needing; and from there Ilminster started to grow into the game.

Ilminster 1-0

More good build up play and defending was backed up by a couple of fantastic stops by number one Charlotte Johnson and this saw Ilminster’s confidence grow. A promising Ilminster attack led to an Ilminster corner on the 36th minute and a good delivery from Sian Chapman was this time not met by an Ilminster head, but a Sherborne defender, who's header made its way into her own net.

Ilminster 2-0

Just the lead the Ilminster performance deserved going into half time, though the half was marred when influential midfielder Charlie Pettinger had to come off injured just before the break.

HALF TIME 2 – 0 Ilminster

In the second half Ilminster were unable to kill the game off with a few half chances created and Sherborne were denied a way back into the game by Ilminster‘s defending all across the pitch.

Ilminster finally got an opportunity to seal the tie when a handball by a Sherborne player led to a penalty. Last week’s penalty taker Sian Chapman stepped aside to allow Jodi Cornwall to step up and she emphatically put the ball away with under ten minutes to go.

Ilminster introduced Sam Burnham alongside Sarah Stuckey in midfield for the final ten minutes to see the game out and see them progress to the second round of the FA Women's Cup.

FULL TIME: 3 – 0 Ilminster

Player of the Match - Hannah Billing - who alongside Georgia Mann at centre half defended solidly all game, made several key interceptions and communicated well.

ILMINSTER NEXT WEEK TRAVEL TO MARINE ACADEMY PLYMOUTH (2PM IVYBRIDGE FC)

SQUAD: Charlotte Johnson, Georgia Coward, Georgia Mann, Hannah Billing, Maisie Parker, Sarah Stuckey (C), Charlie Pettinger, Jodi Cornwall, Abi Meyer, Sian Chapman, Harrie Kelly

Subs: Dana Andrews (USED), Sam Burnham (USED), Helen Bleazard (UNUSED), Colette Martin (UNUSED), Lauren Paul (UNUSED)