FA Vase
Ilminster Town 1 Wellington 0

In a tense tight even contest on a bone hard playing surface, a 51st minute goal from Josh Phillips secured a place in the next round of the FA Vase.

The result sets up an away tie against another Step 5 Western League Premier Side in Street, where Ilminster's manager will face his former club.

Both sides nullified each other for most of the first half, the best chance for the blues came from a Taylor Jefferson header that cleared the bar while the visitors had the best chance of the half when their skipper Josh Baker broke through one on one with keeper Shay Allen who stood up strong and won the duel.

The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half. Defenders Drew Stride and Neil Martin advanced down the left before Martin found Phillips, who showed great composure to finish clinically across the goalkeeper.

Wellington have had a poor start to the season with five straight defeats including a 9-0 and 10-1 hiding , to their credit they kept a solid shape and defended well, their fitness levels also looked good, they just lacked that cutting edge as the Ilminster defenders were not troubled.

Ilminster could have increased their lead as substitute Lewis Trusson had a shot cleared off the line and Phillips brought a fine save from young Harry Lawrence in goal.

Wellington threw men forward in search of an equaliser and went close twice in the ten minutes added time.
Allen made a good save, and Stride made a fine recovery tackle after a slip.
There was a sense of relief around the ground at the final whistle as the Town advanced to the next round.

Once again Allen and the back four were immense with their third clean sheet of the season in as many games, Harv Saunders taking the player of the match award for his defensive display first as a holding mid fielder and as centre back in the second half.

Team
Shay Allen, Drew Stride, Harry Manley, Neil Martin, Celeb Pack, Harvey Saunders, Josh Phillips, Taylor Jefferson, Ed Butcher, Jack Steer, Marky Jones
Subs Used: Lewis Trusson, Jordy Lovibond, Owen Burn, Kane Lee,

Ilminster next play away for the first time this season when they travel to Stoke Gabrial & Torbay Police on Saturday 22nd August kick off is 3.00pm.

The new look Ilminster Town Reserves play their opening match off the season in the Somerset County League Division 3 with a home match against Cheddar Reserves, with a 3.00pm ko at the archie Gooch Pavilion.