Somerset County league Division 1W
Ilminster Town 0, Portishead Town Res 1

WITH this hard-fought 1-0 win, Portishead, who have won all but one of their 13 league matches this season, moved 10 points clear at the top of the table, writes Andy Fish.

But Ilminster will be kicking themselves for not taking advantage, especially playing against 10 men for 60 minutes.

Portishead skipper Ben Davies received a straight red card when referee Jason Gordon deemed that both his feet were off the ground in a tackle with Ilminster’s skipper Jonny May in the 34th minute.

Portishead started the stronger, forcing numerous corners in the opening exchanges, and it was not until the 20th minute that Ilminster really got out of their half, when Sam Rowswell made inroads down the left wing that won a free-kick.

The momentum swung the home side's way, as first Joe Simmonds had a shot on the angle that the Portishead keeper George Shanks-Boon saved at his near post, then Jack Male made a great run into the box but Shanks-Boon was out fast to deny the youngster.

Then, with 27 minutes on the clock and Ilminster well on top, a hopeful punt up field saw Casper Paine slide in to gather the loose ball, but the young keeper failed to gather and Portishead’s top scorer Ed Dunn rolled the loose ball into the net from a tight angle.

Ilminster, in all fairness, never dropped their heads and, after Davies received his marching orders, Matt Brown went on a run and crossed to Joe Simmonds, who cushioned his header into the path of the on-rushing Male – only for Shanks Boon to smother his effort.

Chard & Ilminster News:

BLUES: Ilminster Town.

The Blues attacked from the off in the second half, and top scorer Taylor Jefferson cut through the middle to go one-on-one with the keeper but, rather than go round, he shot and Shanks-Boon again came out on top.

Ilminster finally did get the ball in the net on 70 minutes but Simmonds was judged offside after a goalmouth scramble.

It turned out to be one of those days, and after Simmonds shot over, the referee blew for time and Portishead celebrated like a team who had just won the league.

Without doubt, Portishead are a good side, and Shanks-Boon was superb, but Ilminster just couldn’t deliver on the day.

It meant they had lost their unbeaten home record, and it was also the first time the team had not scored this season.

Ilminster: Casper Paine, Darren Brown, Josh Parsons, Jon Manley, Jonny May (capt), Sam Rowswell, Matt Brown, Paul Nichols, Joe Simmonds, Jack Male, Taylor Jefferson. Subs: Cris Nezianya for Jack Male; John Delahaye for Darren Brown.

On Saturday, Jason Manley and his side are home again with a 2pm kick-off against Uphill Castle.

The Blues will hope to improve from the away match that ended 3-3 and return to winning ways.

***

South-Western Women's League - Eastern Division
Ilminster Town 2, FC Chippenham 2

ILMINSTER were back in action on Sunday for the first time since mid-December.

Weeks of no games and the festive period were always going to make the game a tough one.

If that wasn’t enough, the pitch was affected by the wet weather, leaving it heavy under foot in places.

The first team had taken a bit of a hit this week in terms of squad depth.

A squad of 12 players turned up to the match, with a call-up from the reserves team for 16-year-old Amy North and her first team debut.

The first half saw Town create many chances but they just were unable to take them.

The only goal of the first half came on the half-hour mark, when central midfielder Megan Purchase struck a 40-yard free-kick that flew over the goalkeeper's head and just under the bar.

Into the second half, Chippenham came out with a point to prove, creating lots of chances early on.

Stand-in keeper Aimee Rowe made a number of saves, but the 55th-minute equaliser came after the first shot rebounded back off the crossbar.

Soon Chippenham had a second, with a free-kick curled into the top corner.

But substitute, and debutant, North hit back as she powered home Shannon Crouch's fine cross.

The last 15 minutes saw lots of chances for both teams but the game ended in a draw.

Player of the match: Megan Purchase.

The Ladies' next game is on Sunday at home to Team Mendip (ko 2pm).