FOOTBALL: Ilminster Town left frustrated against leaders

ILMINSTER Town will be kicking themselves for not getting something from a game with division leaders Portishead Town Reserves.

Portishead had to work hard on Saturday (January 7, 2017) to emerge with a 1-0 success and they have won all but one of their 13 league matches this season in the Somerset County League Division One table.

But it was a frustrating afternoon for Ilminster as they failed to take advantage when Portishead were reduced to ten men after 34 minutes.

Portishead skipper Ben Davies received a straight red card, when referee Jason Gordon deemed that both his feet were off the ground in a tackle with Ilminster’s captain Jonny May.

Portishead started the stronger, forcing numerous corners in the opening exchanges, and really pegged Ilminster back as they worked the ball from one flank to the other, all the overworked defence could do was clear their lines and the ball kept coming back.
It was not until the 20 minute that Ilminster really got out of their half, when Sam Rowswell made inroads down the left wing that won a free kick on the edge of the area.

The momentum had swung the home sides way, as first Joe Simmonds had a shot on the angle, that the Portishead keeper  George Shanks-Boon saved at his near post, and then Jack Male made a great run into the box but Shanks-Boon was out fast to deny the youngster.

Then with 27 minutes on the clock and Ilminster well on top, a hopeful punt up field saw  Casper Paine slide in to gather the loose ball, but the young keeper failed to gather and Portishead’s top scorer Ed Dunn could not believe his luck as he rolled the loose ball into the net from a tight angle.

Ilminster in all fairness never dropped their heads, and when Davies received his marching orders with over 10 minutes of the first half still to play, the best move of the half should have been rewarded with a goal, Matt Brown intercepted a pass in the middle of the pitch and drove left before flighting a pin point cross to Joe Simmonds who cushioned his header into the path of the on rushing Male but for the second time in the half Shanks Boon was out quick to smother his goal bound effort and take his side into the break 1-0 up.

The Blues attacked from the off in the second half, and when top scorer Taylor Jefferson used his pace to cut right through the middle and leave himself one and one with the keeper, but rather than go round he choose to shoot and Shanks-Boon again came out on top.

Ilminster finally did get the ball in the net on 70 minutes but Simmonds was judged offside when his follow up went in, a decision that looked harsh with a packed penalty box.

It was turning out to be one of those days in football, when the harder you try the worse it gets, and you just know that that you are not going to score.

Chris Nezianya who failed a fitness test before the game, and was only fit enough to be on the bench,  made a great run down the right and his cross found centre forward Simmonds who arrived late and slightly leaning back, and with the ball sailing over the bar, the referee blew for time and Portishead celebrated like a team who had just won the League.

Without doubt Portishead are a good side, but Ilminster just could not deliver on the day and it was a real disappointing way to lose their unbeaten home record and also it was the first time the team has not scored this season, if the chances had gone in a 4-1 win would not have flattered Ilminster at all, but the champions-elect were down to 10 men and man of the match was Shanks-Boon.

Next week Jason Manley and his side are home again on Saturday (January 14, 2017) at the Archie Gooch Pavilion with a 2pm kick-off with Uphill Castle.

The Blues will hope to improve from the away match that ended 3-3 and return to winning ways.

MATCH REPORT: Courtesy of Ilminster Town FC’s website.

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