FOOTBALL: Ilminster Town battle back for a point

ILMINSTER Town moved into the top six of the Premier Division in the Somerset County League on Saturday (September 23, 2017) – although they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by visitors Stockwood Wanderers.

The first ever meeting of these two sides ended in stalemate, but despite the draw the Ilminster camp was delighted with a point having coming back from 2-0 down against a strong physical side.

It was fit again Taylor Jefferson, who kick-started Ilminster after a poor first-half, when just before the interval he raced away from the half way line and with just the keeper to beat kept his cool with a composed finish.

The comeback was complete when young Tom Sullivan grabbed the equaliser with a fine shot from 20 yards on 55 minutes.

There were three changes to the side, Chris May was abroad on holiday in Croatia, and with Luke Paul also sunning himself and Adam Male also unavailable, young keeper Owen Male was brought in along with Gethan Jenkins at right back and Tom Sullivan out wide.

The game started poorly for the Blues, when left-back Karl Davies miss hit his back pass, and with Owen Male sold short, the young keeper tried to gather but brought down the Stockwood centre forward Harrison Donachie who himself made no mistake from the spot kick.

Within 20 minutes it was 2-0 to the visitors when Tom Francis was sharpest to a loose ball after Owen Male had saved the initial shot.

The game became stretched in the closing stages with both sides striving for the winner and despite looking the more likely the young Ilminster side could not quite break down a resolute Stockwood defence.

Jake Woodard, alongside captain Jonny May in the heart of the defence, never put a foot wrong all afternoon.

And a club spokesman said: “The club is delighted that the skipper along with his goalkeeper brother Chris have both been selected for the Somerset County Representative Side which is well deserved following their performances this season.”

Ilminster Town team: Owen Male, Gethan Jenkins, Karl Davies, Jake Woodard, Jon May ( c), Ben Pitman, Jack Male, Brad Pitman, Taylor Jefferson, Charlie Rutter, Tom Sullivan.

Ilminster Town face a tough away fixture on Saturday (September 30, 2017) at second-in-the-table and current Somerset County League Premier Division champions Watchet Town with a 3pm kick-off.

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