FOOTBALL: Ilminster Town lose to Fry Club in Somerset County League

WITH a 7-2 away win at Wrington Redhill in midweek, Fry Club had moved up to second in the Premier Division, so they travelled to Ilminster full of confidence on Saturday, writes Andy Fish.

The sides met at Fry Club back in August, and the match ended 2-2, so with home advantage Ilminster were looking for at least a similar result.

Ilminster started well as they enjoyed good possession and attacked down the hill.

Taylor Jefferson picked the pocket of the centre-back and found Alex Paul, who held up the ball well before feeding Tom Sullivan, but the youngster could not keep his shot down when well placed.

Next Karl Davis made a run down the left before putting in a great cross, but no-one in the Ilminster frontline gambled enough as the ball flew across the goalmouth to safety.

The visitors had their first chance when they won a corner on the right, and Jake White headed over when unmarked at the far post.

But the Blues were on top and Brad Miles played a delightful weighted ball into Alex Paul, whose fine effort was turned wide for a corner, and from the resultant set-piece Jake Woodard was at full stretch as he headed just over.

The game was more end-to-end now and Luke Paul had a great shot from distance that brought another good save from the visiting goalkeeper.

Next it was Frys' turn, as they carved out a great opportunity with White in on goal, but home keeper Chris May stood up well and saved with his feet.

On the half hour mark Ilminster were forced into a change, when Woodard limped off to be replaced by Adam Male.

Two minutes later, a long diagonal pass found Frys right winger Nick Walters, and when Karl Davis made the wrong choice of going to ground with his tackle, Walters went round him and made no mistake when one-on-one with May.

Three minutes later, Miles was sold short with a pass and couldn’t get to the ball, the away side broke straight down the middle once again, and Walters scored his second.

The home side did not give up, though, and just before half time Jefferson set up Alex Paul, who produced a great bit of skill and awareness to chip the keeper and give the Blues hope at the break.

Fry Club are a very well organised side, though, showing great form of late to move up to second.

Soon after the restart, Davis was left one-on-one in the box and the youngster made a mess of his challenge to bring down the Frys forward for a penalty, which the experienced Ryan Madge put away to give his side a 3-1 lead.

Ten minutes later the visitors made it 4-1 when Walters grabbed his hat-trick, turning the ball in at the far post after a great cross from White.

The hosts did finish the stronger, which is no surprise after their opponents had played two matches in midweek, and substitute Charlie Rutter rose well at the far post to head home a Miles corner to make the final score 4-2.

Both centre forward Jake White and hat-trick hero Nick Walters were excellent all afternoon for Fry Club, and Ilminster were well beaten by a better team on the day.

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

The matches come thick and fast now, with Staplegrove away on Thursday night (ko 6.30pm) and on Saturday Odd Down Reserves are the visitors to the Archie Gooch Pavillion (3pm).

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WITH the Club restructuring the teams next season, there is a vacancy to run the 4th XI.

If interested in this post, you should contact the club secretary, via eafish@btinternet.com, for more details.

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South West Ladies League
Premier Division
Exeter City Ladies 3, Ilminster Town Ladies 1

ILMINSTER played Exeter, a team who caused problems earlier in the season, and used it as a gauge as to how fare they have come this season.

Shannon Crouch replaced injured defender Sammie Knight, and adapted quickly, while Erin Bloomfield also returned.

The gamed started very quickly but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock.

A mis-timed tackled allowing Exeter to fire home past Charlotte Johnson in the Ilminster goal.

The visitors replied quickly as Sarah Miller's forced the home keeper into a fine save.

It was again end-to-end after the break but Exeter extended their lead from the penalty spot, despite Johnson getting a hand to the effort.

Ilminster were undeterred, however, and created numerous good chances.

Exeter added a third but Johnson denied them a fourth with a series of fine save.

The visitors did get their reward of a goal in the 86th minute when Erin Bloomfield slotted home a free-kick from outside the box.

Shannon Crouch was given player of the match, adapting well to her unfamiliar position, and really putting everything into it for the team. 

Ilminster: Charlotte Johnson, Shannon Crouch, Daisy Charles, Dana Andrews, Charlie Pettinger, Meg Purchase, Sarah Miller (c), Maisie Parker, Colette Martin, Amy Burge, Erin Bloomfield. Sub: Hannah Billing.

This coming Sunday, Ilminster host Marine Academy Plymouth at the Archie Gooch Pavilion (ko 2pm).