Town Go Top Of The League

This Sunday Ilminster made the relatively short journey to Sherborne, in the hope of maintaining their unbeaten start to the season. With a full squad to select from; including club captain Colette Martin fit enough for the bench, assistant Manager Helen Bleazard ready to get her playing season started and Hannah Billing returning after a couple week absence.

Ilminster had to make a late change during the warm up when centre half Sam Burnham aggravated an injury and was unable to make the starting eleven, so Hannah Billing moved to centre half and Maisie Parker, originally a sub, came in at left back.

Despite the late disruption, Ilminster looked the stronger in the opening encounters; but it was Sherborne who struck first when a hopeful ball forward caught the Ilminster back line out and the Sherborne attacker was left one on one with CJ in the Ilminster goal to slot home.

Ilminster grew into the game and started to dominate possession and when a mistimed clearance from the Sherborne defender dropped out of the sky it kindly fell to Harrie Kelly 12 yards out to loop home with her left foot.

Ilminster went again and it only took a couple of minutes to get themselves in front when Charlie Pettinger stole the ball 20 yards out from goal, composed herself and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner leaving the keeper no chance.

Ilminster were not finished; and just after the half hour mark made it three when a cross field ball from Jodi Cornwall found Abi Meyer, who's cross was met by Abbie Carslake. With still a bit of work to do, she got away from the defender and place the ball past the Sherborne Keeper.

The end of the first half was marred when a silly tackle from behind on Sian Chapman, which went unpunished by the referee, left her having to be replaced by captain Sarah Stuckey.

Half Time 1 – 3

The second half started with Sherborne now having the wind behind them and they quickly got themselves back in the game. Firstly a big kick from the keeper wasn’t dealt with by the Ilminster back line and the Sherborne forward got in to calmly finish.
They then were on level terms within minutes when a couple of mistakes in the Ilminster midfield allowed the Sherborne forward to get away again and complete her hatrick.

All level now, Ilminster introduced Helen Bleazard in place of Hannah Billing and needed to settle down. The game now very even with both sides battling for the three points and it was Ilminster who got their forth just after the 60 minute mark when Harrie Kelly got away from her defender in the 18 yard box, only for the defender to make a clumsy tackle bringing Harrie down for a penalty.
Up stepped Abbie Carslake to calmly slot the penalty away.

This spurred Sherborne on and CJ in the Ilminster goal was forced into a couple of top quality saves in the final encounters, but after quite a few extra minutes played; which no one could understand where they had come from, the referee finally blew his whistle and Ilminster took home the three points against the resilient and hard working Sherborne team.

FULL TIME: 3 – 4 Ilminster

Player of the Match - Georgia Mann who again was superb at centre half. Really composed, with some great challenges and interceptions plus great on the ball as always.

ILMINSTER NEXT WEEK HOST FOREST GREEN ROVERS IN THE LEAGUE WITH THE EARLIER KICK OFF OF 1PM DUE TO THE CLUB ANNUAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY (1PM ARCHIE GOOCH PAVILION)

SQUAD: Charlotte Johnson, Georgia Coward, Georgia Mann, Hannah Billing, Maisie Parker, Charlie Pettinger, Jodi Cornwall, Abi Meyer, Sian Chapman (c), Harrie Kelly, Abbie Carslake
Subs: Helen Bleazard (USED), Sarah Stuckey (USED), Colette Martin (USED), Sam Burnham (UNUSED), Lauren Paul (UNUSED)