Somerset County League Premier Division
Clevedon Utd 0, Ilminster Town 0

ILMINSTER Town drew their third successive away match 0-0 in the Somerset County Premier League up against second in the table Clevedon United on Saturday, writes Andy Fish.

The young side have certainly got the defensive side of their game organised and could have taken all three points, but a draw was a fair result in the end.

The home side started brightly, but the resolute Ilminster defence restricted them to long range efforts in a first half of limited chances.
Ilminster upped their game after the break and, with Charlie Rutter leading the line well, created a couple of good chances for Taylor Jefferson, the best when he broke clear but couldn’t find the finish.

With 80 minutes on the clock, Chris May came rushing out of his goal, collided with the Clevedon forward and the referee pointed to the spot.

May was at full stretch to save his third penalty of the season and second in succession to keep the scores level.

The hosts pushed for the winner in the closing stages and would have taken the three points if it wasn’t for Andre Anjos, who headed off the line to earn his side another point.

Ilminster: Chris May, Luke Paul, Karl Davis, Brad Pitman, Jon May, Doug Whitfield, Brad Miles, Tom Sullivan, Ben Pitman, Taylor Jefferson, Charlie Rutter. Subs (used): Andre Anjos, Jack Male

On Saturday, the Blues host Shirehampton (ko 2.30pm).

Somerset League Division 1W
Combe St Nicholas 2, Burnham United 0

COMBE were prepared for a tough game against a side that started the day in the top five, but the hosts dominated the first 20 minutes and went ahead through a Warren Gabbidon header. 

Combe doubled the lead early in the second half thanks to a chip from captain Matthew Tooze. 

Burnham threw everything forward, only to come up against a strong Combe back four, led by man of the match Tom Batchelor.

Joint managers Neil Holt and James Govier are happy with the the way the team is shaping up and are feeling positive about the weeks ahead.

Somerset Junior Cup
Chard Res 6, Chilcompton Res 0

A JAY Stewart hat-trick helped Chard reserves to victory over their Mid Somerset League opponents.

The visitors put an early penalty wide before Will Willetts cut in from the left to score with a low cross shot, following good play from Jake Board and Darren Contreras, to put Chard into a 25th-minute lead.

After the break, two goals from Stewart by the 65th-minute mark opened the floodgates. 

Dan Anjos and Stewart added further strikes before a Ryan Mason header completed the rout.

Chard are away to Bishops Lydeard reserves in the quarter-finals in January.

Team: Alex Cunnold, Ryan Mason, Ryan Parris, Chris Atyeo, Jake Board, Darren Contreras, Octavio Lima, Harry Boddington, Sam Symes, Jay Stewart, Will Willetts. Subs Nathan Finn and Dan Anjos (both used) Owen Dodd (unused)

South West Women’s League Premier Division
Ilminster Town Ladies 0, Buckland Athletic Ladies 2

SUNDAY saw Ilminster Town Ladies host promotion-chasing Buckland Athletic Ladies.

It was the visitors who looked most likely to break the deadlock, but resolute defending from Daisy Charles, Dana Andrews and Sammie Knight kept it goalless at the break.

The visitors broke through on the hour, as a corner was finished well from close range.

Charlotte Johnson made a fine save soon afterwards, but before long Buckland had added a second.

The home side can take many positives from the match ahead of Sunday’s home Somerset FA Junior Cup tie against Team Mendip (2pm).