FOOTBALL: Lazenby stars for Ilminster Town

ILMINSTER Town made a good start to their home campaign in the 2017-18 season in the Premier Division of the Somerset County League on Saturday (August 19, 2017).

The Blues enjoyed a 3-0 victory over visiting Wrington Redhill to leave them unbeaten on four points after two games.

Wrington had drawn their opening two games to the season and had a number of supporters at the match which made for a lively atmosphere at the Archie Gooch Pavilion.

Ilminster manager Chris Nezianya opted for a 4-3-2-1 formation with Taylor Jefferson and Andy Whitfield playing wide while offering support to lone front man Carl Lazenby.

Ilminster started the brighter and ten minutes in, Andy Whitefield showed good pace down the left wing before cutting inside where a defender’s late challenge brought no hesitation from referee Mark Tilleray who pointed to the spot.

And it was left to Ilminster’s top goalscorer from last season, Taylor Jefferson, to open his account for the season with a cool finish to convert the penalty.

Within five minutes the Blues doubled their advantage when young Brad Pitman, who seems to have boundless energy, made a strong run down the left before passing in field to centre forward Carl Lazenby.

The experienced Lazenby took a touch and composed himself before brilliantly chipping the ball over the stranded keeper.

The second-half was very even, but it was the home side that scored the vital next goal  when Jefferson produced some skill down the right before finding Lazenby inside.

Lazenby mishit his pass, but substitute George Miles on at left back picked up the loose ball, before delivering a whipped cross into the penalty area for Lazenby to round off an outstanding performance with a great header to make it 3-0.

Lazenby was the star man with his two goals and great hold up play, while the defence was solid with Jake Woodard slipping in seamlessly alongside captain Jonny May at centre half and Pitman again showing incredible energy levels.

Team: Caspar Paine, Luke Paul, Karl Davies, Jake Woodard, Jon May ( c) , Ben Pitman, Jack Male, Brad Pitman, Andy Whitefield, Carl Lazenby, Taylor Jefferson. Sub used George Miles for Karl Davies

Ilminster Town are back at the Archie Gooch Pavilion on Wednesday (August 23, 2017) in a 6.30pm kick-off with Staplegrove the visitors.

On Saturday (August 26, 2017) Ilminster travel to south Bristol to play Frys Club.

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