Somerset County League Division 1 West
Glastonbury 1, Ilminster Town 0

DESPITE completely dominating the second half with the home side reduced to only one effort on goal, Ilminster failed to break down a resolute Glastonbury and suffered only their third defeat of the season, writes Andrew Fish.

Sometimes no matter how hard you try you just can’t score, and it was one of those days with countless goalmouth scrambles, and top scorer Taylor Jefferson first heading against the post and in the same move hitting the bar with an overhead kick.

Glastonbury, who have improved of late with a new manager, had a game plan and with a side full of six-footers on a very heavy pitch executed it perfectly.

Ilminster had to go toe to toe with their physical opponents but struggled to match their intensity.

The game started with neither side getting on top but Jack Male looked like he had given the Blues the lead with a shot from 20 yards, but the goal was ruled out for an apparent infringement.

It was Glastonbury who took the lead on the half hour when a long ball caught the Blues square and their striker Brad Hefferman ran through to lob the ball over Caspar Paine.

Just before half time, Jefferson should have scored, his header coming back off the post, though he can count himself unlucky that his spectacular overhead kick crashed against the bar seconds later.

The second half was one-way traffic, as Ilminster had numerous chances to score.

Jack Male was twice unlucky with shots from distance, while Jefferson, Sam Rowswell and Joe Simmonds all had half chances, and there were goalmouth scrambles aplenty.

The poor pitch didn’t suit the Blues’ passing, but they were second best physically, and were not clinical enough.

All the other teams in the top five drew, Street taking a point away at Portishead, and Somerton and Winscombe also shared the points, so Ilminster did not lose too much ground at the top.

But this was a missed opportunity to have moved well clear in the promotion race – they are now seven points off leaders Portishead Town Reserves, and just two ahead of Winscombe in third.

Ilminster: Caspar Paine, Darren Brown, Josh Parsons, Jonny May (captain), Jonny Manley, Aaron Sweet (Jason Manley), Sam Rowswell, Matt Brown, Jack Male, Joe Simmonds, Taylor Jefferson.

This weekend brings a massive game for Jason Manley’s side, at home to in-form Winscombe, at the Archie Gooch Pavilion (ko 3pm).

***

Chard & Ilminster News:

ON FORM: Ilminster Town Ladies' player of the match against Forest Green Rovers, Megan Purchase. Pic: Ash Magill

ILMINSTER Town Ladies gave a good account of themselves against already confirmed South West Women’s League (Eastern Division) champions Forest Green Rovers, but lost 1-0.

Hosts Ilminster defended resolutely and sought a breakthrough in the second half, but were hit on the counter-attack with around 10 minutes left, Rachel Isaac grabbing the goal.

Player of the match was Megan Purchase for a battling display in midfield.

Ilminster: Kath Parsons, Sammie Knight, Dana Andrews, Emma Jennings, Daisy Charles, Graziely Esperanca, Jade Shoemark, Megan Arlidge, Maisie Poole, Megan Purchase, Shannon Crouch. Substitutes: Danielle Bristow, Lauren Clarke, Sarah Miller.

The Blues, who stay fourth in the table, have their home game of the season on Sunday, versus Cheltenham Civil Service (ko 2pm).