FOOTBALL: Good win for Ilminster Town

ILMINSTER Town moved into the last 16 of the Somerset Senior Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win against Division One side Street Reserves.

The Blues, of the Premier League, got the win in the end thanks to goals from Jon May and Karl Davies, but they were made to work for their passage through to the next round of the cup by visiting Street.

The first-half was evenly contested with both sides enjoying good possession and it was Street who created the first chance when the Ilminster back four were caught far too square in a line, and the Street centre forward raced clear to find himself one on one with Chris May, but the big keeper won the duel by spreading himself and blocking the shot with his feet.

Chris May again kept it all square when a shot from distance looked destined for the bottom corner, and despite seeing it late he managed to get across his goal and turned it away from safety.

It was 0-0 at half-time, but Ilminster who had threatened in the first-half without really creating any clear cut chances, were now on the front foot. Taylor Jefferson showing real determination had a great run and leaving the full back for dead got to the bye line and cut the ball back for the on rushing Tom Sullivan but the young wingers shot hit the legs of a covering defender.

On the hour mark a free-kick was won on the far touch line and Karl Davies crossed deep to the far post where Charlie Rutter cushioned his pass right across the goal and from a yard out captain Jon May volleyed home.

Within five minutes Street had a fantastic chance to equalise, when after working an opening on goal their forward blazed his shot over the bar when it would have been easier to score.

The game was now end to end and Charlie Rutter was unlucky not to score when Luke Paul and Jack Male combined well down the right flank, and Paul delivered a great cross to the far post but Rutter’s header was saved by a combination of keeper and defender.

Street were pushing hard and went close again with a goalmouth scramble, but they lost their momentum when their No 11 was sent-off for abusing Mark Cairns the referee after picking up a yellow card for a bad tackle.

With a man advantage the Blues were now in control and Jefferson cut in from the right but when well placed was unbalanced when he shot screwing his shot wide.

Karl Davies intercepted a pass and from fully 30 yards out looked up and spotting the keeper of his line brilliantly scored in the top corner giving the back peddling keeper no chance.
Davies scored two similar goals at Bridgwater but those were shot/crosses that caught the wind this time he meant it and his goal capped a fine display by the left back.

It was a fine second-half performance and after the previous week’s drubbing at Chilcompton it was a good confidence booster and great to get back to winning ways.

Ilminster Town team:  Chris May, Luke Paul, Karl Davies, Adam Male, Jon May, Brad Pitman, Jack Male, Tom Sullivan, Andre Anjos, Taylor Jefferson, Charlie Rutter. Subs used: Ben Pitman, Jack Read.

Ilminster are back in Somerset County League action on Saturday (October 14, 2017) when they travel to face fourth-placed Middlezoy in a 3pm kick-off.

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