Somerset County Division 1W Ilminster Town 5 Burnham Utd 1

ILMINSTER Town returned to winning ways following a couple of draws in the league, after a strong second half performance that saw them score four times and go top of the table.

The Blues did start bright and breezy but it was Burnham who looked the more threatening as the first half progressed and, with heavy rainfall not helping, 0-0 looked on the cards for the first half.

But, with Chris Nezianya pulling up with a hip injury, young Jack Male, on for Nezianya, who provided the opening goal right on the stroke of half-time when his cross was headed home by Joe Simmonds to give Ilminster a 1-0 lead which was against the run of play.

Burnham did not take too long to equalise at the start of the second half when, from a corner, their centre-half headed home.

This seemed to spur Ilminster on and captain Brad Miles, after a great run, still had the composure to find Taylor Jefferson with a clever reverse pass.

Jefferson took one touch before curling the ball into the bottom corner for a great goal.

Within five minutes, it was 3-1 when from an Ilminster corner by Aaron Sweet, Male ghosted in unmarked to finish with a fine header.

Ilminster really were flying as their 4-2-4 system gave them more control than the 4-3-3 played in the first half, as Burnham struggled with the move- ment of the Ilminster at- tackers, and Jefferson added his second when, after a defensive mix-up, he was the sharpest, nipping in to take advantage.

Next, a penalty was awarded and Jefferson, on a hat-trick, had his shot well saved, but Jonny May was quick to follow up and make it 5-1.

Burnham were unlucky late on as Casper Paine made a great save.

Ilminster have no game on Saturday.

Team: Casper Paine, Darren Brown, Aaron Sweet, Jon Manley, Jonny May, Josh Parsons, Brad Miles, Matt Brown, Joe Simmonds, Taylor Jefferson, Chris Nezianya. Subs (used) - Jack Male, Karl Davies, Dan Smith.