Fa Cup Run Comes To An End

This was the second round of the women's Fa cup and Ilminster were again given an away tie against Cheltenham ladies playing 2 leagues above and Ilminster found themselves travelling by bus with a strong spirited group of supporters.

Ilminster started the game slightly different to the Frome game, welcoming back center back Emma Jennings who started in right back with Sarah Roxburgh again in center of defense organizing the back line. Dana Andrews also made her first appearance for the first team this season, after being called up from the reserve team for some brilliant performances in recent games.

Ilminster started slowly showing Cheltenham to much respect. This allowed a very confident Cheltenham side to create the better chances. Eventually scoring from close range giving them the 1 goal advantage. Ilminster tried to pick it up again and give a quick response but Cheltenham stood strong and then added a 2nd goal when the cross came in and when not dealt with quick enough allowing the attack to be completed by a good header.

This put Ilminster on the back foot and when Cheltenham were awarded a penalty, they looked to increase the advantage even more however the penalty was saved by Keeper Abbi Bond when guessing the correct way dived putting the ball onto the crossbar and out for a corner. As the game went on Ilminster were finding their feet more and after some good saves from Bond and great defensive work from the back 3 Ilminster went in the break keeping the score at 2-0.

A strong half time talk from manager Craig Stuckey seemed the turning point for Ilminster and the second half then saw Ilminster come out with more determination forcing Cheltenham back allowing Ilminster to start testing the Keeper. With a non stop work rate from the midfield 5 consisting Lesley Spearing, Megan Purchase, Sarah Miller, Jenny Frost and Dee Cracknell Ilminster created more chances but the keeper seemed equal. Eventually the break through came for Ilminster when they got themselves a corner and from the cross it seemed a scramble but Sarah Miller was there to make sure it went in this time giving Ilminster hope for the remainder of the game.

This made an exciting but slightly frustrating end to the game when both sides started pushing for the result forcing both keepers into making excellent saves. Ilminster then made a sub bringing Chelsea Board off from Left back and bringing Dana Andrews on. In the last few minutes after some great work from Alice Charlton who released a perfect cross For Frost who as about to convert appeared to be shoved in the back, however after big appeals no penalty was given. Ilminster then went on one last push but Cheltenham dealt with it eventually meaning time ran out for the Ilminster side.

Ilminster will now look to progress further in remaining competitions consisting of the League, League cup and the County Cup.

A big thank you also goes to the parents and friends that came along on the bus making the 2 hour journey to give support throughout the game for the girls.

Unfortunately though Ilminster mascots Peter and Pamela could not make the game as they were unforgivably left behind by Sarah Roxburgh and Dee Cracknell. We hope they can make the next game home to Pen Mill.