Ladies Reserves Unlucky At Home

Ilminster Ladies Reserves 2 – 4 Stockwood Wanderers (Women) First

This Sunday saw the Ladies Reserves play their first home game of the season, hosting a strong Stockwood side.

From the week before, Ilminster managed to go from naming 0 substitutes, to having a full squad with 5 substitutes this week! Zoe Barter, Shannon Crouch, Leila Salter Chloe Park, Daisy Charles and Kitty Knight all came into the side form the week before; with Michelle Lawrence away.

The game started very evenly, with both teams trying to get up early in this one; but neither could fashion a meaningful chance.

It was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 16th minute; with a goal through a good pass over the top of the Ilminster defence; and a calm finish past Ilminsters keeper Isobel Rudkin.

Ilminster answered straight back however; and equalled the game straight from kick off. A good piece of play, saw the ball end up with Shannon Crouch up front, who calmly played the ball back to Nicola Johnson on the edge of the area, who struck the ball expertly over the stockwood keeper into the back of the net.

Stockwood found themselves back in front in the 37th minute; through a great free kick finish. Around 25 yards from goal; the Stockwood player, stepped up and struck the ball straight into the top right hand corner, leaving the Ilminster goalkeeper no chance!

Stockwood got themselves another goal just 2 minutes later; in the 29th minute; through play much like the 1st goal; a ball over the top caused Ilminster problems, and the onrushing attacker got to the ball ahead of Rudkin in goal; and calmly finished.

Ilminster trail 3 – 1 at Half Time.

It didn’t take long for Stockwood to increase their advantage; with their 4th goal of the afternoon in the 48th minute of the match.

Ilminster started to get more of the ball from the 60th minute of the match; and started to create a few more chances, giving themselves all the opportunities they needed to get back into the game.

A change of shape for the later period of the match; also helped to increase the chances Ilminster were creating.

Ilminster managed to with stand further Stockwood attacks; and got themselves a deserved goal in the 82nd minute of the match. Following a foul on midfielder Zoe Barter; Shannon Crouch picked the ball up around 10 yards into the Stockwood half; and only had one thing on her mind. From the free kick, Shannon struck the ball into the back of the net, just over the goalkeepers head.

The match ended with Ilminster on the wrong end of the 4 – 2 scoreline; the visitors played a great game, causing Ilminster many problems all afternoon; but Ilminster showed great character to stay in the match, and cause problems of their own.

Player of the game for today was Leila Salter, for her great game at Left Back; doing her best to make sure that nothing got down her side of the pitch, but also trying to create chances for Ilminster.

Sunday the 3rd of October, sees Ilminster play away to Banwell Ladies; with a 2 o’clock kick off.

Starting 11: Isobel Rudkin, Holly Rogers, Daisy Charles, Holly Burn, Marie Denley, Lesley Spearing (C), Lauren Paul, Phoebe Lush, Graziely Esperanca, Alisha Grabham, Nicola Johnson
Substitutes: Leila Salter, Shannon Crouch, Zoe Barter, Kitty Knight, Chloe Park

Sam Clarke – Ilminster Town Ladies Reserves Manager