Colts Bounce Back After Recent Disappointment

Ilminster Town Colts welcomed local rivals Shepton Reserves in a must win clash after disappointing results and performance in the last three games.

The Colts were able to make a couple of changes from the side that lost in the cup to Merriott Rovers last week, with Paul Hardy replacing the unavailable Charlie Male in centre midfield, Charlie Berrington was also back in the side in place of AJ Carvell who was also unavailable.

The back four had a rejig with Darren Manley moving back into centre back alongside Liam Doble, and Andy Moore and Dave Lock returning at full back.

The Colts stuck with the 4-3-3 for the second week running, and the formation made them look far more solid, whilst also allowing a lot of chances to be created at the other end.

The Colts started on the front foot and put Shepton under a lot of pressure from the first whistle, this was rewarded after 4 minutes when Paul Hardy headed in his second goal of the season after good build up play by the Colts.

The Colts did not let the pressure drop and were rewarded a few minutes later when Josh Jackson headed home a corner at the near post.

The first half continued along the same vein with Ilminster creating a few more good chances, and also being denied a penalty for hand ball, the Colts looked solid with Shepton struggling to break through and Caspar Paine not having a save of note to make.

The third goal came in the first half, with Paul Hardy again involved in an attacking position, this time it was Sam Tratt who added the final touch to register his third goal of the season.

Half time was positive, but it was emphasised that the Colts were to make a statement and were not therefore to take their feet off the gas.

The second half started slowly, and there were a couple early mistakes from the Colts to give Shepton their first chances of the match, however these were soon eradicated and the Colts were again rewarded, this time the finish was by Jack Dawkins, giving him his first goal for the club, the handwork however was carried out by Charlie Berrington, who picked the ball up in his own half and ran at the Shepton goal, beating several defenders before unselfishly squaring the ball to Jack Dawkins to score.

The pace of the game died out following the fourth goal, with both sides making substitutions, for the Colts centre half Luke Vincent impressed having come on as striker for the first time in 11-a-side football, and Kaymon Lisney also staked a claim for a starting place after putting in a good shift and giving the defenders of Shepton a few nightmares.

It was indeed Kaymon Lisney who wrapped up the Colts scoring with his 10th goal of his debut season, the leading scorer having played only 17 games with several of those from the bench. This time it was Jack Dawkins who put in an impressive run to grab the assist.

With 89 minutes on the clock, the Colts looked sure of a clean sheet having been solid for the majority, however a rare Shepton attack drew a foul from Luke Vincent and the free kick was parried by Caspar Paine and finished by the Shepton forward to leave the score at 5-1.

This was a positive result for the Colts who now travel to their last two away games over the next two weeks (Combe A & Shepton Reserves), these fixtures pose a great chance for the Colts to pick up valuable points in their quest for a mid-table finish, the Colts then have 5 home league games, and a fifth clash with Merriott Rovers this time at home in the Daisy Hutchings cup.

A positive result and performance with Jack Dawkins, Charlie Berrington and Kaymon Lisney all causing problems with their pace and direct running, with AJ Carvell to return to the side it promises to be an exciting end to the season!

Man of the match was given to Jack Dawkins after his first goal and a great assist.

Up the Colts!