Ilminster Town Ladies Edge Fiery Cup Tie

After 2 failed attempts to play their first-round league cup fixture, against fellow league opposition AEK Boco, Ilminster were keen to progress into the next round.

The reserves not having a game this week helped the 1st team out massively, as former first team players Emma Jennings and Molly Bidgood were called up into the team, even if Molly’s call up was on the morning of the match! Tia Shoemark was also back in for the 1st team. A debut from Danielle Bristow, made up the numbers.

The game started very quickly, and Ilminster were up 1-0 in the 5th minute, when a superb pass through the oppositions defence from captain Sarah Miller, found the feet of on rushing attacker Shannon Crouch, who calmly; and emphatically put the ball past the keeper.
Town then found themselves 2-0 up not much after! When a ball poked back into the goalmouth from Jade Shoemark, caused a mix up from the opposition defence, and the ball somehow found its way in the back of the net. 10 minutes played, and 2-0 up! However, the game was far from over.

5 minutes later, a 50/50 challenge saw captain Sarah Miller come off much worse than her opponent. The ball was in the air to be won, however Sarah decided the ball wasn’t good enough, so ended up heading the opposition players head, and giving herself a worthy war wound. This challenge resulted in Sarah being taken off to A&E by manager Craig Stuckey. This then meant Sam Clarke had to step up, to try and see the team through into the next round.

Molly Bidgood then came on from the bench, meaning Ilminster had no subs for the following 75 minutes, and potentially extra time!
After the incident, Town struggled to keep the tempo up, and this then resulted in AEK Bocco getting 1 back on the half hour mark. Nothing Ilminster keeper Kath Parsons, could do on this one, a very good finish from 10 yards out into the far corner.

After half time Ilminster still couldn’t quite get control back of this game, however in the 55th minute Molly Bidgood ran onto a through ball, and was tripped in the box for a penalty. Shannon Crouch took the resulting penalty, and dispatched it with ease, putting Town 3-1 up.
This 2 goal lead only lasted around 10 minutes however. In the 65th minute a corner came across and was handled on the line by Town’s centre half Sammie Knight. She then received a yellow card! The penalty was then calmly tucked away from the Boco player. 3-2 with 25 minutes left!

The game kept its very competitive edge, with each team missing several chances. However, with the light fading, Ilminster defended resolutely until the end, and a few fine saves from Kath in the Ilminster goal, and the work rate of both central midfielders (Meg Purchase & Tia Shoemark) meant that Town came out victors in this very competitive and fiery affair!

Progressing into the next round of the league cup!

Player of the game was Shannon Crouch for her wonderful brace. However, a fine debut performance from Danielle Bristow was a close second!

The ladies next fixture is Sunday 18th December, home to Cheltenham Civil service.