Somerset County Division 1W
Portishead Town Res 0, Ilminster Town 0

ILMINSTER, who were three points behind league leaders Portishead at the start of play, hoped to reduce the deficit but had to settle for a hard-fought draw in a match spoiled somewhat by the wind, writes Andy Fish.

The first half was very even with both sides unable to create any real chances, with defences on top.

Ilminster went for it in the second half, and for the last 20 minutes the Blues were camped in the hosts’ half.

Following a succession of corners, Charlie Rutter, on for Joe Simmonds, saw his header go agonisingly wide.

Fellow substitute Jon Delahaye nearly won it as he latched on to a Matt Brown through ball and, as he sought to round the keeper, the Portishead stopper stretched to turn his shot from the angle just past the post.

Josh Parsons was again outstanding at the heart of the defence in his first full season in senior football.

Portishead were by far the happiest with the draw; with six of their seven games left at home they were delighted to maintain the three-point gap.

Ilminster: Matt Bisgrove, Darren Brown, Jonny May, Josh Parsons, Sam Rowswell, Jack Male, Matt Brown, Aaron Sweet, Chris Nezianya (Jon Delahaye), Taylor Jefferson, Joe Simmonds (Charlie Rutter).