Collumpton Rangers 2 Ilminster Town 2

Ilminster Town continued their good form with a 2-2 draw away against third in the table Cullompton Rangers, it was only a late penalty awarded against them that stopped them getting the win they deserved for a fine performance.

The Town took the lead with a well worked opening goal in the 9th minute when a diagonal cross field pass from Harry Manley found Josh Phillips out wide, he took the ball down superbly with his chest running through and getting his shot away. Jack McAndrews in goal got a hand to the shot only diverting into the path of Jordy Lovibond who was following up as all good strikers do to tap home to give his side a 1-0 lead.

With the Blues now well on top Jack Steer had a shot from distance that tested McAndrew as the Blues pushed for a second. It was Steer again that once again brought a fine save from McAndrew after 35 minutes with another shot from distance.

Ed Butcher then caused havoc in the home defence as he ran through, the ball not quite following to Lovibond who was following up again. The home side came back into the match during the start of the second half, they hit the top of the cross bar with a header from a corner, after winning another corner Jamal Bokhammas was sharp in the box as he was first to the loose ball back heeling it in the net for the equaliser, 1-1.

A few minutes later the Blues had the lead again as Harvey Saunders just on as substitute scored from a corner to make it 2-1.

Josh Phillips made a great run into the box and was taken out, only for the defender to get the benefit of doubt as the penalty was not given.

Cully then won a highly disputed penalty themselves after Braeden Symes was adjudged to foul, the decision could have gone either way, Josh Cole stepped up to covert sending Shay Allen the wrong way to make it 2-2.

The home side then went down to ten men after Aidan Whitfield picked up his second yellow card, they though managed to hold on with out any late drama as both sides shared the points.

This was one of the best performances of the season from Ilminster, Braeden Symes and Lee Sweet were both on top of
their game, in truth it was a total team effort with every player in the squad playing well, the player of the match went to Harry
Manley who was outstanding throughout.

The team would have taken a point before the match against a top three side away from home, there though was a sense of disappointment in the dressing room after the match as the team know that they deserved to win.

Team
Shay Allen, Tom Case, Karl Davis, Harry Manley, Lee Sweet, Braeden Symes, Jack Steer, Josh Phillips, Tom Lee, Ed Butcher, Jordan Lovibond
Subs Used: Harvey Saunders, Evan Howse, Flynn Smith, Drew Stride, Owen Burn

Next Saturday the Blues are home to Oakhampton Argyle the match kicks off at 3.00pm. There is also the first of a run of midweek matches with a trip to Bishops Lydeard on Tuesday 17 th March 7.30pm kick off.