FOOTBALL: Ilminster Town beaten by Staplegrove in Somerset County League clash

ILMINSTER Town suffered their first defeat of the season, as Staplegrove picked up their first points of the season at the Archie Gooch Pavilion on Wednesday evening.

Having lost their opening two matches, Grove got off to a brilliant start in this game, as Luke Desave scored in the third minute.

It remained 1-0 at half time, but after the break the visitors doubled their lead through Sam Mockridge.

The Blues then won a penalty for a foul on Carl Lazenby, only for Grove keeper Shaun Locke to save Andy Whitefield's spot-kick and then Jonny May's follow-up.

The points were secured late on, as Joe Gratton broke away to score the away side's third goal.

The result leaves Ilminster ninth in the table with four points from three games, and this Saturday they go to eighth-placed Fry Club (ko 3pm).

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ILMINSTER Ladies, meanwhile, won their final pre-season friendly 7-2 at Portishead on Wednesday.

Emily Syme netted four for the visitors, with Colette Martin, Maisie Poole and Charlie Pettinger also getting on the scoresheet.

Would still like to fit in one more preseason fixture next week if any teams would like to play. Probably need floodlit pitch though?

— Ilminster Ladies FC (@ITLFC) August 23, 2017