Ladies Score Late To Claim Third Spot

Ilminster took on Cheltenham Town Development in an important game that could see Ilminster claim third spot in the table with a win. 
A bare 11 travelled to Tewksbury, making it a tough encounter from the get go. Within the bare 11 a full debut was handed out to 16 year old Katie Clark.

The early stages saw nerves take full control of the game, both teams trying to get use to the 3G service, and the cold conditions. Cheltenham started to create a number of chances, as did Ilminster, but nothing clear cut.

However on the half hour mark it was Cheltenham who broke the deadlock with the aid of young Ilminster centre half Daisy Charles. A bouncing ball came at the back four of Town, and the bounce out did the central defenders, however Charles tried to clear the ball but got her angles slightly wrong, sending the ball from 35 yards over the Town keeper Kath Parsons, and the ball just squeezed in under the bar. A tough one to take, but it saw Town go 1-0 down.

Not many more chances were created, and the game went into half time 1-0 to the home side, Town had lots of work to do in the second half.

Ilminster started the half the brighter side, creating numerous scoring chances in the early stages. It only took until the 55th minute for in form Town striker Shannon Crouch to run in between the two covering Cheltenham defenders, and smash the ball passed the keeper. 1–1, the game was anybodies to win.

However it only took 5 minutes for Cheltenham to regain the lead. Much like the first goal, a ball came bouncing over the Ilminster defence, and it caused panic again. This time Parsons and experienced centre half Dana Andrews weren't on the same wavelength, and it gave the Cheltenham striker just enough time to get in front of Andrews, and volley the ball in over the Town keeper. 2-1 Cheltenham, but there was plenty left in this game.

The next 15 minutes didn't offer many chances, but they saw Town have a lot of the ball, and have lots of play in the centre of the park, however in the 80th minute Town made the game 2-2, and it was Crouch again. This time the ball went down the left hand side, from smart work on the ball by Maisie Poole. Poole played the ball across the box to around 10 yards out, Crouch arrived, and couldn't miss! 2-2, time for a winner?

The winner came just 5 minutes later, this time through captain Sarah Miller. The ball found its way into the box after several deflections. The final touch however was the important one, and it was a great finish at that! Sarah Miller picked the ball up 15 yards from goal, took one touch across her body and hit the ball precisely into the top left hand corner with her left foot! 3-2 Ilminster!
 
This was the end of the action, and it saw Town win 3 more important points, putting them into third place! Promotion may be on the cards!

Player of the game was Maisie Poole for her fantastic work rate, creating numerous chances in the match and a couple all important assists!
 
Sunday 29th of January sees Ilminster take on top of the league Forest Green Rovers, a game that promises to have everything! 2pm kick off at the Archie Gooch.