Ilminster Town 7 Middlezoy Rovers 0

Ilminster Town began their second South West Peninsula League Premier (East) season with a convincing 7–0 win over a youthful Middlezoy side.

Josh Phillips and Jordy Lovibond scored the goals in the first half, while early in the second half Jack Steer got the third, substitutes Taylor Jefferson and Lewis Trusson with a brace added goals alongside an own goal as the Blues ran riot.

In the first twenty minutes both sides looked comfortable on the ball despite the heat and the sun-drenched, brown playing surface. Most of the action took place in the Middlezoy half, and Ilminster’s territorial dominance paid off in the24th minute when Lovibond found Phillips, who volleyed smartly into the bottom corner.

Ten minutes before half time Neil Martin played a long ball forward from the back, Lovibond used his pace to turn his man and made it 2-0.

The second half saw Ilminster continue to dominate as Phillips flicked the ball on for Steer who took the ball in his stride and finished well for
3-0.
Manager Jason Behan was afforded the luxury of bringing on his replacements around the hour mark and it was Taylor Jefferson who just failed to beat the keeper with a lob, moments later after fine work by debutant Marky Jones and Steer in the middle of the park the ball was worked forward to Phillips who added another assist as he played in Jefferson who scored with aplomb as the Blues went 4-0 up.
Lewis Trusson then joined in on the action as he drifted wide and made a run inside where he picked up a pass from the impressive Braeden
Symes, he dropped his shoulder before seeing his shot go in off the post for 5-0. It was soon six as a Phillips cross was diverted into the net from a defender.

The visitors kept pushing forward and enjoyed their best spell since the first twenty minutes and had a couple of chances, Shay Allen who had a quiet afternoon made two saves to preserve his clean sheet, he was helped by defender Drew Stride who made a brilliant clearance off the line.

Trusson then had the last say in the 90 th minute as another fine run saw him cut inside after picking up a pass from Jefferson, he made it 7-0 with another fine finish.

Middlezoy kept trying to play football and moved the ball well, Ilminster though had to much experience and power for the young side.

There were some impressive performances from the Blues as all the sixteen players used played their part in the 7-0 win. Braeden Symes controlled the midfield, while Harry Manley dominated at the back. However, player of the match went to 17-year-old Caleb Pack, who excelled defensively while playing out of position at full-back and also posed a threat going forward.

Team
Shay Allen, Owen Burn, Harry Manley, Neil Martin, Caleb Pack, Braeden Symes, Harvey Saunders, Josh Phillips, Jordy Lovibond, Jack Steer, Marky Jones

Subs Used: Taylor Jefferson, Thomas Lee, Evan Howse, Lewis Trusson, Drew Stride

Ilminster next play Honiton at home under lights with a 7.30pm kick off on Tuesday 11th August, while on Saturday 15th August the club hope to repeat last season’s FA Vase success with a home match against step 5 Wellington that kicks of at 3pm.