Emphatic Victory In League Opener

Ilminster started quickly and put pressure on Middlezoy straight from the first whistle; and within 3 minutes striker Abbie Carslake ran onto a long ball from goalkeeper Charlotte Johnson over the Middlezoy backline and buried the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Ilminster had the majority of the possession and created a number of chances for forwards Abbie Carslake, Abi Meyer and Colette Martin, running through the Middlezoy defence. On the 28th minute, Abbie Carslake ran down the wing and crossed the ball to Abi Meyer to finish to make it 2-0.
Minutes later, Meyer had her 2nd of the game with a great assist from Maisie Parker. Following this goal, two Middlezoy players were sent to the dugout for a 10 minute sin bin for descent.
Ilminster took advantage of the 2 player overload as Meyer once again ran at the Middlezoy defence, only to be brought down for a penalty. Abbie Carslake stepped up twice and scored both times, with the first being disallowed for an encroachment.
Maisie Parker then got on the score sheet in the 38th minute. The midfielder coming back from a long term injury coolly slot the ball home from close range to make it 5-0.
In stoppage time in the first half, after good build up play from defenders Georgia Mann, Dana Andrews and midfielder Charlie Pettinger, Colette Martin was fed down the wing to cross for Maisie to get her 2nd goal of the game.

Half time 6-0

Ilminster made 3 changes at half time, bringing off Abbie Carslake, Abi Meyer & Maisie Parker and bringing on Harrie Kelly, Jodi Cornwall and Lauren Paul - who made her first team league debut. Within 40 seconds of the kick off, Jodi Cornwall played a splitting pass through the Middlezoy defence and Colette Martin ran through to make it 7-0.
After a brief lapse in concentration from the defence, the Middlezoy winger got in behind and shot from a wide area. Keeper Charlotte Johnson got her hand to the ball, however it looped in off the post to make it 7-1 to Ilminster.
Ilminster then grew into the game again, keeping the ball and making great opportunities for the forward line. On the 65th minute winger Colette Martin put a great ball into the box, where the keeper got a hand to it, however full back Dana Andrews was on hand to slot the ball into the net for her first goal of the season.
Minutes later, Abi Meyer (subbed back on for Colette Martin) put a great ball into the box for Maisie Parker to get her body on the end of it to make it 9-1 and her complete her hat trick.
On the 78th minute, from a Middlezoy goal kick, Lauren Paul intercepted the kick and played a great ball through the defence for forward Harrie Kelly to coolly slot the ball home for her first goal of the season.
A corner on the 80th minute from Meyer was met with a bullet header from Jodi Cornwall to make it 11-1.
Again, Meyer was causing the Middlezoy defence all kinds of problems and was awarded another penalty for a pull back on her shirt. Abbie Carslake stepped up and put the ball top corner to also complete her hat trick.
On the 85th minute, midfielder Charlie Pettinger played a fantastic pass straight through the defence and had Jodi Cornwall running through on goal. With acres of space, she slotted the ball past the keeper to make is 13-1 to Ilminster.

Player of the match goes to Abbie Carslake.

Report by Helen Bleazard