Tough League Opener For Reserves

Burnham United Ladies First 8 – 2 Ilminster Town Ladies Reserves
Report by Sam Clarke – Ilminster Town Ladies Reserves Manager

Last Sunday saw Ilminster Reserves get their season underway, with a trip to Burnham.

Due to a large number of players being away or working this week, Ilminster traveled with just 11 players. Of these players, there were many familiar faces, but there was a full debut for Alisha Grabham and also a full debut for Goalkeeper Isobel Rudkin.

Ilminster started the match brightly and looked dangerous on the early attacks that they put together. This showed when they took the lead in the 5th Minute; through Alisha Grabham. Some good work throughout the team, saw a quick attack put together; the ball came to Michelle Lawrence on the edge of the box, her attempt was blocked and the ball fell into the path of Grabham in the box, who managed to shield the ball from the defender and strike it into the bottom corner of the goal.

Ilminster continued to mount early pressure; but Burnham started to show that they could also cause Ilminster problems, with clever play through their central midfielder and tricky winger.

Unfortunately for Ilminster, the small squad played its part in this game; in the 25th minute, Marie Denley playing in an unfamiliar role at left back; had to be removed from the pith for 10 minutes due to an injury. In these 10 minutes where Ilminster were down to 10 players, Burnham made their one player advantage tell - scoring 4 goals and putting them into a 4-1 lead.

However, once back to an even playing field Ilminster scored another goal. In the 36th minute, a great ball from deep from Captain Lesley Spearing (playing in central defence) caught out the Burnham defence and Ilminster striker Graziely Esperanca got in behind and got to the ball before the keeper, before calmly placing the ball into the goal.

Ilminster trailed 4 – 2 at half time, in what was a positive half for the visitors.

The second half saw Burnham get a goal early on in the 49th Minute; the goal came following a rebound from a great save made by Isobel Rudkin in the Ilminster Goal.

The familiar story of going down to 10 players continued unfortunately for Ilminster though. When just after this goal Alisha Grabham was removed from play and Ilminster played the remainder of the game with 10.

Burnham were able to score another 3 goals; one being a commanding header from a corner!

Despite having one less player than the hosts, Ilminster battled hard and caused the home side issues, nearly getting a few more goals on the day.

A very good performance from Ilminster on their first game of the season; which is certainly something that can be built on in the coming weeks.

There were joint players of the game for this week; Marie Denley was one following a great performance in an unfamiliar left back position. The other was debutant Isobel Rudkin in goal; who put in a great shift, pulling off some great saves.

Ilminster's next game is home against Stockwood Wanderers; 26th September; with a 2 o’clock kick off.

Starting 11: Isobel Rudkin, Holly Rogers, Holly Burn, Lesley Spearing (C), Marie Denley, Michelle Lawrence, Lauren Paul, Phoebe Lush, Alisha Grabham, Nicola Johnson, Graziely Esperanca