Somerset County Division 1W
Combe St Nicholas 0, Ilminster Town 1

THE Good Friday match between local rivals second in the table Ilminster, and second-from-bottom Combe went to the form book, writes Andrew Fish.

A Matt Brown goal gave Ilminster the three points which take them closer to promotion and Combe being relegated to Division 2 West.

Ilminster were without four regulars - captain Jonny May, top goalscorer Taylor Jefferson, Charlie Rutter and the influential Chris Nezianya.

Both Jonny Manley and Aaron Sweet were deemed only fit enough for the bench.

Player manager Jason Manley named himself in the starting line-up for the first time this season, and in came Mike McCormack and Andy Whitefield to help out.

The game was a typical derby match with a large crowd and both sides giving everything.

Ilminster took the lead from a goalmouth scramble midway through the first half from a corner.

Josh Parsons shot and as the Ball rebounded Matt Brown was the sharpest to bundle the ball over the line for his second goal of the season.

As the match progressed, both sides never really carved out any clear-cut chances, with both teams defending well.

Casper Paine, in the Ilminster goal, looked assured and his handling was good when called upon but it was Josh Parsons and Jason Manley who both seemed to make time for themselves when everyone else was playing at a 100 miles an hour that stood out.

Combe's top scorer Liam Riste was isolated up front and well marshalled by the Blues' back line.

Both Whitefield, who worked really hard up front and McCormack, who kept moving the ball intelligently, played well.

Meanwhile, in the only other Good Friday fixture, Glastonbury Town's win at Street not only relegated Combe but, by beating Street, once again Ilminster have the chance of a top two finish and promotion in their own hands.

Next up for Ilminster on Saturday is their last home match of the season against bottom-of-the-table Congresbury (ko 3pm).

A win and a Street defeat will see the Blues promoted.

***

Devon & Exeter League Division 7
Seaton Town Res 0, Ilminster Town Res 4

JAMES Govier and his already-promoted Ilminster Town Reserves made it a great weekend for the club.

They travelled to Seaton knowing nothing but a win would clinch the championship.

Both sides had chances in the first half with the best one falling to Seaton right on the stoke of half-time.

But, after stern words from the manager in the interval, Ilminster were right on the front foot at the start of the second half.

Goals from Warren Gabbidon, Ivor Costa and two by man-of-the-match Kamil Wilk gave Govier success in his first season at the helm.