FOOTBALL: Jonny May inspires Ilminster Town to victory against Minehead

ILMINSTER Town travelled to mid-table Minehead on Saturday and enjoyed an excellent away win with ‘captain marvel’ Jonny May scoring twice, including the goal of the season, writes Andy Fish.

Wearing their red away kit, Ilminster set up differently with a back five when defending to counteract the wide pitch, as Minehead like to take advantage of the width.

It was the home side who started at a fast pace, zipping the ball around and switching play.

Ilminster were defending well and slowly began to push forward and, when May found himself in space after Matt Brown and Joe Simmonds worked an opening, he finished well with a left-foot strike into the corner in the 10th minute.

By now, May was in confident mood, and when he picked up a loose ball on 22 minutes just inside his own half he strode forward like Steve Gerrard in his prime.

He ran through the heart of the Minehead defence leaving four players in his wake and produced a great finish by scooping the ball over the advancing keeper.

Ilminster went into the break two goals to the good, but the second period started badly with Minehead pulling a goal back almost immediately with a header.

LEAP: Joe Simmons (in red) in the thick of the action. Pic: Steve Richardson

It was very much backs-to-the-wall defending now and worse was to follow when Jon Manley took an elbow to the face and was shown a straight red card for retaliation.

Manager Jason Manley then went into a 4-4-1 formation with Joe Simmonds up front on his own, and what followed was the best disciplined defensive performance shown under Manley.

Simmonds worked really hard holding the ball up and closing down, and the two banks of four stood firm and held out for a tremendous win.

It was a real team effort with everyone giving their all, marshalled well by Josh Parsons - but it was May who was the star man with both goals, including his brilliant solo effort... not bad for a centre-half!

Team: Matt Bisgrove, Darren Brown, Josh Parsons, Jon Manley, Jonny May (Capt), Aaron Sweet, Sam Rowswell, Matt Brown, Paul Nichols, Jack Male, Joe Simmonds. Sub (used): Taylor Jefferson for Aaron Sweet.

The victory saw Ilminster move into second place after Street were held to a 0-0 draw by Uphill Castle.

On Saturday, Ilminster entertain bottom club Congresbury (ko 2.30pm).

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GOALS from Sam Tratt and Jake Woodard earned Ilminster Town Colts a place in the fourth round of the Somerset Intermediate Cup on Saturday.

They beat visitors Coleford Athletic 2-0 to keep the South Somerset flag flying.