South West Peninsula League (East)
Torridgeside AFC 1 Ilminster Town 3

After a gap of 35 years since their last match at this level against Tiverton Town in 1982, Ilminster Town returned to step 6 football with an away fixture against Torridgeside AFC on Saturday, the hosts that finished in mid table last season have added a few experienced players and looked a well drilled team.

It was the Blues though who got their League campaign off to the best possible start with a first-class team performance to take all three points, skipper Lee Sweet, Taylor Jefferson and man of the match Josh Phillips scored the goals. Ilminster started confidently in the opening exchanges taking a five-minute lead when Jack Steer made a run forward into the box and got his shot away under pressure, the shot hit the post where Lee Sweet was following up to give his side an early 1-0 lead.

The home side were very direct and equalised when the Ilminster defence was caught a little flat footed with 15 minutes gone. Torridgeside then started to boss the match until slowly Ilminster started to play, they were now enjoying more of the ball, with half an hour gone Thomas Lee broke into the box and was brought down for a stone wall penalty. Taylor Jefferson stepped up sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1. Harry Manley at right back who had picked up an early yellow card was targeted towards the end of the first half and the start of the second, he though was up to the task and stood strong.

On the hour mark Josh Philips pressed well winning the ball back, finding Lee in space the ball was moved quickly finding Steer who fed it out wide to Jefferson, who in turn delivered a great ball in to the far post where Phillips had timed his run and jump to perfection as he headed home to give his side a 3-1 lead. It was a fantastic team goal. The goal knocked the home side, and they never recovered as Ilminster saw out the match comfortably.

With promotion to the South West Peninsula League, Manager Jason Behan has brought in two experienced players to boost the successful double winning side of last season. Neil Martin (Previous clubs Exeter City, Tiverton Town, Dorchester, Weymouth, Paulton Rovers, Wells City) and Braedan Symes (Previous Clubs, Chard Town, Bridport, Shepton Mallet, Paulton Rovers) The pair were both excellent throughout the match showing their quality, alongside club captain Lee Sweet they should complement the younger players that have not played at this
level before.

Youngsters Flynn Smith who has played for Millfield School, Bath University first team, Cribbs, Wellington and Sixteen-year- old Flynn Wadsworth, who played at Axminster U18s last season, and joined Willand U18s this season, have also been added to the squad, both players came on in the second half and looked at home at this level. The Town could not have got their season off to a better start, the whole squad were excellent throughout beating a side that could well finish towards the top end of the table.

Phillips who is a natural right wing back, was pushed forward last season, he certainly showed that even at this higher level he could repeat the success of last season where he finished with 30 goals, he deservedly took the player of the match award with an outstanding display.