Three Points On The Road For Reserves

Banwell Ladies First 0 -1 Ilminster Town Ladies Reserves

This Sunday saw Ilminster Ladies Reserves make the trip to Banwell Ladies; in a match which they knew would be very competitive.

Ilminster traveled with a squad of 13 players; however they were missing a goal keeper for this week! So Captain Lesley Spearing stepped up, and played between the posts for the game; putting in a fine performance for somebody who has never played in goal before!

Poppy Hookings and Kelly Andrews made their first appearances of the season for Town this week; with a start in the centre of the park for Hookings, and a start at Right Back for Andrews; both putting in great performances.

Both teams started the game well, trying to create chances. But neither side was able to strike the all important blow and break the deadlock. Banwell caused Ilminster problems for the middle period of the half, playing some tidy football, and getting in behind the Ilminster back line a couple of times; but Ilminster answered back, creating good chances of their own; with Shannon Crouch, Graziely Esperanca and Nicola Johnson going close. The sides went in at the break all square, with neither team able to get the all important goal.

The second half had much the same flow, with Banwell creating a chance then Ilminster answering back. Mid way through the second half Spearing in goal made a smart save, reading the play well to stop a certain goal from close range.

Ilminster managed to get the all important first goal of the game! In the 75th minute, some good play from Ilminster saw the ball played through the Banwell defence, Nicola Johnson got on the end of this, and the goalkeeper did well to close the angle, however the ball fell to the feet of Marie Denley just outside the 18 yard box, who controlled the ball well and calmly picked her spot over the goalkeeper and defender who tried to stop the ball going in the back of the net. A good goal for Ilminster which put them ahead!

The final 15 minutes of the game were similar to the previous moments of the match, with both teams trying their best to get goals! Ilminster nearly managed to double their lead a couple of times, but they couldn’t quite find the goal which would have calmed the nerves.

Despite Banwell’s best efforts and late pressure, the Ilminster defence managed to stay solid and keep the clean sheet. Ilminster's back four of Kelly Andrews, Holly Burn, Daisy Charles and Holly Rogers defended brilliantly all game!

Ilminster's first win of the season, which will hopefully boost the spirits of the young Ilminster side!

Player of the game could only go to one player. Lesley Spearing stepped up to play in the unfamiliar position of goalkeeper and kept a clean sheet! A great performance!

Next week Ilminster travel to Bishops Lydeard to face their Reserve side, with a 1 oclock kick off; this will be a good test for Ilminster.

Starting 11: Lesley Spearing (C), Kelly Andrews, Daisy Charles, Holly Burn, Holly Rogers, Nicola Johnson, Zoe Barter, Poppy Hookings, Marie Denley, Shannon Crouch, Graziely Esperanca

Substitutes: Alisha Grabham, Phoebe Lush