Ilminster Edge Local Rivals in Christmas Clash

A late pitch inspection at Ilminster, meant that this eagerly anticipated local derby match was given the go ahead despite a very heavy surface, and Ilminster Town were rewarded with young mid fielder Sam Rowswell emerging the hero with two fine goals in a hard fought 2-1 victory, in front of a large Christmas Eve crowd.

Despite the heavy conditions both sides played football from the back and it was Combe who took the lead when Liam Riste who was with Ilminster at the start of the season but left after getting limited opportunities, scored his 7th goal in 6 games. Riste could have doubled his sides advantage on the half hour, but for a smart save from Casper Paine in the home goal.

Sam Rowswell who recently joined Ilminster from Merriott Rovers, has proved a fine asset with 3 goals already from 5 matches in his wide left midfield role since stepping up to Senior football, equalised when after cutting into the penalty box produced a fine strike from the angle to take the sides in at the break 1-1.

Ilminster won a free kick 25 yards out at the start of the second half and Rowswell pulled rank on some of his more senior team mates, and this proved the right decision as his well hit low shot found the bottom right hand corner despite Alex Cunold in the Combe goal getting a hand to it.

Both sides kept playing football in this evenly matched second half but as the half progressed Combe pushed for the equaliser with their left winger Tom Sullivan always looking dangerous.

Combe created one good chance right at the death but with Riste leaning back he fired over when we’ll placed, in all fairness to the visitors a draw would have been a fair result.

For Ilminster both striker Joe Simmonds who led the line well, and right back Darren Brown had outstanding games against their old club but it was Sam Rowswell who was man of the match with his two goals taking him to 5 goals in 6 matches.