Ladies Back To Winning Ways

After suffering defeat in the last game against higher league Larkhall in what was a spirited performance, the girls were keen to return to league action and take the heart and performance into their first league game of 2022 against what looked a depleted MAP side who have had a very up and down season.

Ilminster themselves missing the likes of regular right back Georgia Coward who was away and other stalwart defender Hannah Billing missing out through suspension, club captain Collette Martin found herself starting at right back with Sam Burnham coming in for Billing. Sian Chapman came into the starting 11. Jodi Cornwall started on the bench alongside recalled Dana Andrews and 2 debutants Maria Warman and 16 year old Ella Entwhistle finished the four man substitutes bench.

The opening few minutes saw a slow and relatively scrappy start with possession changing hands regularly and plenty of unforced errors littered play. Ilnminster had the first meaningful piece of play when some quick interchange down the left ended up with the ball falling for Charlie Pettinger who let fly in search of finding the back of the net with her brand new boots but unfortunately her effort went wide without really troubling the MAP goalkeeper.

The next point to note came from the massively influential Sian Chapman who picked the ball up from a poor kick from the MAP keeper in the middle of the pitch to clip a pin point ball to Abi Meyer who had to deliver a ball into the box but at the second time of asking sliced the ball behind harmlessly for a goal kick.

As Ilminster threatened to take a stronghold in the game it was MAP that had the next opportunity from a poor Ilminster clearance which dropped to a MAP midfielder who let fly, but in true keeping with previous efforts in the game, flew wide of the goal and closer to the corner flag. Moments later another poor kick from the MAP keeper dropped to Sarah Millers feet who played a quick ball to Harrie Kelly who found a fantastic defence splitting pass, perfectly weighted to leave Meyer one on one with the MAP keeper and although the shot again went wide, it was only just wide and was the best chance of the game at that point and will have certainly had Owen Hambly, the MAP manager worried about how much pressure his keepers kicks were putting his team under and how many chances they had conceded without really laying a glove on the home side.

Another half chance for either side followed but only good covering from Sam Burnham and a good starting position from the MAP keeper meant both chances came to nothing. That proved to be the final two chances before the deadlock was broken as moments later on 14 minutes some intricate play between Chapman and Pettinger saw the later play a cute ball between two MAP defenders for Kelly to beat the offside trap to coolly slot home the opener.

Within 2 minutes Ilminster doubled their lead through a very unlikely source. A fantastic corner beat the cluster of players at the front post and bounced at the back post where Sam Burnham looked to have timed her run to perfection to bundle in her first goal in Ilminster colours off what looked to be her stomach. It doesn’t matter how you score, they just have to cross the line! That saw Sam Drewery the MAP striker pick the ball out the back of the net and offer some words of encouragement to her team as MAP looked to get into position for the kick off as the Ilminster girls were still all smiles.

A few more half chances were created by Ilminster as they went in search of the 3rd and possibly game finishing goal and the first real sight of goal for MAP saw a ball that caught the Ilminster back line out but fortunately the MAP attempt failed to test Charlotte Johnson in the Ilminster goal and it rolled kindly into her control. Then another superb delivery from a corner by Meyer was powerfully met by the bonce of recently brought on Jodi Cornwall but she almost caught it too well and it cleared the bar, much to the delight of the MAP defender charged with marking her. Then MAP made half-hearted claims for a penalty when another great ball again beat the Ilminster back line and with only the keeper to beat the MAP attacker was the victim of the definition of a last ditch tackle from Burnham who knew had she not got the ball, she would have followed Billings footsteps from the week before and be taking an early bath. The tackle however was perfectly timed and thwarted what was MAPs best chance of the game.

That tackle proved to be a very key moment in the game because moments later, on 38 minutes, a slightly different MAP goal kick routine saw Drewery barely clear her own box, the ball broke lose perfectly for Cornwall who initially looked like she was shaping to attempt one of her trademark thunderbolts only to adjust her body shape and calmly caress the ball with the instep of her favoured lefty over the despairing MAP keeper and into the back of the net. Half time 3-0 to Ilminster.

Ilminster started slowly in the second half and a silly free kick just inside our own half allowed MAP the chance to put the ball into the box. Again, the final piece of quality was missing and the ball was claimed unchallenged by the still, yet to be tested, Johnson in goal. Moments later and it was half time substitute and 16 year old debutant, Ella Entwhistle who strode forward from right back to deliver a pin point cross for Cornwall to get a clean free header but again, her header was just wide of the target. Within minutes Ilminster had the ball in the net when excellent attacking play from the constant menace Meyer saw her skip beyond the full back and fire an excellent ball across the 6 yard box where Cornwall was agin in the right place to tap home at the back stick only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside in what looked a very tight call and certainly would’ve had VAR sweating had it been available.

Half way through the second half saw MAP have another appeal for a penalty turned down and this time it certainly had stronger foundations than their first. Another ball behind the back line saw a MAP striker receive the ball with her back to goal and the onrushing Johnson came out bravely at the feet of the striker from behind but the ref adjudged the custodian to have made more than ample contact with the ball much to the frustration of the MAP striker and dugout.

MAP then had a spell of 10 minutes where they controlled play and created another chance from another ball behind the Ilminster back line, the shot was taken early from the self-proclaimed #goalmachine, Sam Drewery, but her shot sailed narrowly over the cross bar and served as a reminder to Ilminster that even at 3-0 and cruising, Ilminster couldn’t afford to take their foot off the gas.

Abbie Carslake became the next player to make an attempt on the MAP goal after pinching the ball in the box amidst some 18 yard box pin ball and her turn and shot was well saved by the feet of the MAP keeper. Still not learning their lesson, MAP saw another poor goal kick drop again to the feet of tremendous Chapman, (who by the way covered just about every blade of grass) who played in Carslake who then pulled the ball across the 6 yard box for Cornwall who hit the outside of the post from 3 yards out when it looked easier to score!

The dying embers of the game saw Ilminster manage possession professionally and allowed one final chance when the impressive Entwhistle fizzed a ball into the box for Carslake to get a touch in front of the defender and the ball found its way to Cornwall, her final attempt form a tight angle saw her ripple the net, but unfortunately it was the wrong side of the net and just wide of the target.

Despite creating a number of half chances, MAP will be disappointed they never really looked like scoring but will be buoyed by the fact they kept Ilminster honest and forced the home side to never take their eye off the game.

For Ilminster, it was another 3 points in the pursuit of top spot and the target of winning the league, they remain unbeaten and the run goes on. The home side will be delighted to have picked up another win and a clean sheet, will be content with the goals and chances created and will be pleased with the way they managed the game after going 3-0 up in a very professional manner. However, there were still enough reminders that they have areas in which to improve on to ensure they continue to pick up more points and more clean sheets as we approach the business end of the season.

Collectively a good performance but some players to highlight include midfielder Sian Chapman who was industrious in the middle and used the ball incredibly well and plugged away for the 90 minutes despite picking up more kicks than just about every other player combined. 16 year old debutant Ella Entwhistle who came on at right back at half time and showed experience beyond her years to communicate effectively with the back line and joined in with attacks at every opportunity, a bright future lies ahead. Our keeper CJ, another clean sheet and a performance where she had very minimal to do, but her starting position, decision making and communication was brilliant and this ensured she picked up another clean sheet. Finally Player of the Match, Sam Burnham who put in her performance of the season. She dictated and controlled the back line amazingly and even chipped in down the opposite end with her first goal at the club and her first goal in over 3 seasons.

Next up is Bishops Lydyeard at home and another opportunity to pick up 3 points and keep the run going, but the blues will know they need to be at their best again to keep the run going!

Report - Sam Borthwick (GK Coach)