Ilminster Triumph In FA Cup

This Sunday saw Ilminster start their season with an away game to AEK Boco in the preliminary round of the Women’s FA Cup.
Ilminster started the game brightly, looking dangerous on the attack; and the pressure soon told when the deadlock was broken in the 14th minute. A great counterattack saw the ball at Colette Martins feet, who played this to Abbie Carslake, who controlled the ball well and struck the ball home from distance, down low into the bottom left corner.

Ilminster took this advantage into the half time break; although both Daisy Charles and Maisie Parker went close to increasing Town’s advantage; although the home side did start to cause Ilminster some problems at the end of the half.

Ilminster doubled their advantage in the 68th minute. A ball came back to Georgia Coward who delivered this back into the area, it found Abbie Carslake, her smart touch saw it fall in the path of Colette Marin, who emphatically volleyed the ball past the keeper into the back of the net.

The hosts tried their best to get back into the game, mounting a few dangerous attacks, but the Ilminster defence looked solid all afternoon; and dealt with the pressure well.

In the 83rd minute Ilminster got their 3rd goal of the afternoon. Another good passage of play saw the ball worked wide to Abbie Carslake on the right-hand side, she produced another great ball into the box, which fell perfectly for Sarah Miller, who produced an equally as good header which found the bottom left hand corner.

Ilminster rounded off the afternoon with a 4th goal in the 92nd minute; and it was Colette Martin’s second of the day. Colette produced a great individual run, beating 4 players which ultimately saw her just get into the area and place a shot low into the corner of the goal.
A great 4-0 victory for Ilminster, which sees them into the hat for the 1st Qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Player of the game today was Daisy Charles (sponsored by The Shrubbery Hotel), who handled herself very well in the defence and ensured they were always organised.

Next Sunday Ilminster get their league campaign underway, with a Home game against Portishead. 2 o’clock kick off at the Archie Gooch Pavilion.

Goal scorers: Colette Martin x2 (sponsored by Coleman Plumbing & Heating Ltd), Abbie Carslake (sponsored by Wright Tree Surgery & Landscaping), Sarah Miller (sponsored by Mitchams Chartered Accountants)

Starting 11: Charlotte Johnson, Georgia Coward, Sammie Knight, Daisy Charles, Dana Andrews, Charlie Pettinger, Sarah Miller (C), Colette Martin, Holly Ward, Maisie Parker, Abbie Carslake
Substitutes: Lesley Spearing, Graziely Esperanca, Hannah Billing, Poppy Hookings (unused)

Sam Clarke-Ilminster Town Ladies 1st Team Assistant Manager