Somerset County League
Premier Division
Clutton 1, Ilminster Town 1

WITH the rain finally relenting, Ilminster Town were keen to begin the last 12 matches of the stop-start Premier Division season, writes Andy Fish.

The good news is the season has been extended by a week to Saturday, May 19, giving the Blues seven rather than six weeks for their remaining fixtures.

On Saturday they went to third-bottom Clutton (one place below them), with three teams to be relegated.

Ilminster began brightly with good possession, without really threatening, while Clutton had one gameplan: long balls from the back.

Chris May was forced into one good save, while the Blues’ top scorer Taylor Jefferson had a couple of half chances, and Tom Sullivan was denied a goal by a debatable offside flag.

It was goalless at the break, and Clutton improved slightly upon the restart, forcing May to adjust his feet quickly and make a tremendous save.

But then, on the hour mark, Adam Male – returning to the side after injury – hesitated and failed to win a header, allowing the hosts to break down the left and their striker to score a tap-in.

The Blues showed real character to respond, Brad Miles hitting the bar with a free-kick, and Sam Rowswell, Brad Pitman and Charlie Rutter coming off the bench with 20 minutes to go.

The visitors Blues attacked at will, but with 90 minutes gone, defeat looked on the cards.

But then a free-kick was won in their own half and May went route one: Rutter won the header and picked out Miles, who controlled the ball on his chest and, on the half-turn, smashed the ball into the net for a last-ditch equaliser.

That propelled the Blues up two places to 12th in the table, leap-frogging both Bridgwater Town Reserves and Stockwood Green, and with games in hand on all the teams around them, Miles’ goal certainly gave them a very welcome boost.

Ilminster Town: Chris May, Luke Paul, Adam Male, Doug Whitfield, Jake Woodard, Brad Miles, Jack Male, Tom Sullivan, Chris Nezianya, Alex Paul, Taylor Jefferson. Subs (all used): Charlie Rutter, Ben Pitman, Sam Rowswell.

This coming Saturday, fourth-placed Fry Club visit the Archie Gooch Pavilion (ko 3pm).

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ILMINSTER Town Ladies drew 1-1 at Charlestown Ladies in their South West Women's League Premier Division match on Sunday.

Blues defender Sammie Knight suffered a broken leg during the game, and all at the club wish her a speedy recovery.