Stoke Gabrial & Torbay Police 2 Ilminster Town 2

Ilminster travelled away to Stoke Gabrial with four players out due to injury and holidays, they still put out a strong team as they dropped points for the first time this season as a late Stoke goal meant the points were shared.

The Blues started brightly and dominated possession, but the hosts took the lead when a long-range shot struck the hard ground in front of goalkeeper Shay Allen, took a wicked bounce to give Allen no chance.

The equaliser came direct from a corner on the half hour mark as Jack Steer hit the perfect inswinger, the home keeper in the packed penalty area failed to get anywhere near the ball for 1-1.

Ilminster were the better side in the first half. Ed Butcher was denied a second goal when the ball stopped in the long grass in the goalmouth, allowing the goalkeeper to gather before he could tap in at the far post. Despite creating several half-chances, Ilminster could not find a clear opening, and the teams went into the break level at 1-1.

The second half was more evenly contested, with both sides pushing forward in search of a goal. It finally came in the 67th minute when Lewis Tusson got the ball out wide and delivered a great ball into the box, Jordy Lovibond flicked it on and Celeb Pack timed his run into the box perfectly as he was in the right place to tap home at the far post to give his side a 2-1 lead.

The hosts though made it 2-2 late on when after Allen had initially blocked the first effort, Jayden Preece scored in a goal mouth scramble as the points were shared.

For Ilminster Jordy Lovibond had a great first half running his full back ragged as he was withdrawn at half time.
The ever-improving Drew Stride was named player of the match after an outstanding performance at wing-back.

Team
Shay Allen, Drew Stride, Owen Burn, Braeden Symes, Celeb Pack, Harvey Saunders, Josh Phillips, Lewis Trusson, Ed Butcher, Jack Steer, Jordy Lovibond
Subs Used: Evan Howse, Jacob Evans

Ilminster Town next match is a local derby against Axminster Away on Tuesday 25th August with a 7.30pm ko followed by a home match on Saturday against Oakhampton Argyle, 3.00pm ko.