First League Win Of The Season For Ilminster Town Ladies

Ilminster travelled to Paignton to take on Torquay missing several first team regulars, Sammie Knight following last week’s Injury was obviously missing but the blues also had Georgia Coward, Poppy Hookings and influential forward Colette Martin absent. This gave several others an opportunity, in came Leila Salter from the reserves with Lesley Spearing and Graziely Esperanca making their first starts of the season.

Ilminster started the stronger but couldn’t find the final ball or final touch to get the lead, it was only in the 15th minute when a cross from Lesley Spearing from the right hand side alluded the keeper all the way into the top left hand corner, this helped the blues settled but Torquay came back and hit the cross bar from a cross of their own. Ilminster had several more chances but could not quite get finish required. In the 30th minute a 25 yard free kick from Maisie Parker was probably the closest they came when the free kick rattled the cross bar.

Half time 1-0 to Ilminster

The second half started much the same Ilminster creating but lacking a little bit in the final third, in the 51st minute though a superb cross from the left from Parker was met by Holly Ward who’s effort hit the cross bar, but fortunately Abbie Carslake reacted quickest and was there to finish the rebound. The second goal gave Ilminster some momentum and took away some of Torquay’s spirit, it took just two more minutes for Ilminster to score a third effectively killing off the game, a quick break from the blues with a good through ball from Spearing saw Carslake 1v1 with the keeper to finish.

Torquay had a good free kick just wide minutes later via their captain, but Ilminster were now settled and in the 60th minute a great 25 yard strike from from Charlie Pettinger went through the crowd of defenders and found the bottom left hand corner. Ilminster continued to have chances but it took until the 80th minute to score again with Maisie Parker getting on the score sheet a through ball by Pettinger found Parker on the corner of the 18yard box a touch out of her feet and a rocket of a shot into the far top right hand corner. 5-0 Ilminster.
The Game finished that way 5-0 Ilminster, after a difficult week for town following the serious injury to centre half Sammie Knight last week nerves were definitely on show, everyone can be congratulated for their fantastic efforts in this fixture. Lady of the game was awarded to Leila Salter stepping up from the reserves and playing 90 minutes at left back never looking out of place and putting in a solid disciplined performance for Ilminster

Goal Scorers:
Abbie Carslake x 2 (Sponsored by Wright Tree Surgery & Landscaping), Lesley Spearing (Sponsored by Divine Domestic Services), Charlie Pettinger (Sponsored by J and F Cars Southwest) and Maisie Parker (Sponsored by Kinetics Sports Therapy and Injury Rehabilitation)

Starting 11: Charlotte Johnson, Leila Salter, Hannah Billing, Daisy Charles, Dana Andrews, Sarah Miller, Charlie Pettinger, Maisie Parker, Lesley Spearing, Graziely Esperanca, Abbie Carslake
Subs: Holly Ward, Meg Purchase, Amy Goss (ALL USED)

Craig Stuckey –First Team Manager, Ilminster Town Ladies FC