FOOTBALL: Ilminster Town lose out to Odd Down Reserves in Somerset County League

WITH bright sunny weather and the pitch looking good, conditions were perfect for football on Saturday, writes Andy Fish.

Buoyed by their midweek win (4-0 away to Staplegrove), the Blues should have been full of confidence, but for some reason they gave by far their worst performance of the season at home.

Odd Down were quicker and sharper to every ball and took the lead on 20 minutes when both Doug Whitfield and Chris May failed to deal with a through ball, gifting the opener.

Having struggled to gain momentum, the hosts’ best passage of football brought the equaliser, as some fine passing led to Ben Pitman hitting a screamer from 25 yards that the keeper did well to parry, and Chris Nezianya headed home the rebound.

Then, on 33 minutes, Taylor Jefferson broke through the middle only to be taken out, resulting in a free-kick and the Odd Down defender James Book being sent off.

The second period saw the away side defend deep, as Ilminster kept wasting possession.

Then, as is so often the case, Odd Down took their one chance, when the centre forward rounded Chris May with ease to give his side a 2-1 advantage.

The Blues could not get going again, and Odd Down fully deserved their victory for their resolute defending and workrate.

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

Ilminster have two difficult midweek fixtures, against Shirehampton tomorrow (Tuesday, ko 6.45pm) and Watchet Town on Thursday (ko 6.30pm).

They complete their three tough away trips in five days at in-form Nailsea & Tickenham on Saturday (ko 3pm).

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South West Women’s League
Premier Division
Ilminster Town Ladies 1, Marine Academy Plymouth 2

ON Sunday, Ilminster hosted a side with just one league defeat this season and did themselves proud.

Erin Bloomfield, Colette Martin and Maisie Parker had chances for the hosts but it was 0-0 at the break.

The second half continued in the same vein, Ilminster missing a few opportunities until, in the 65th minute, Martin managed to find a pocket of space 25 yards from goal, and her sweet strike found the net.

The upset looked to be on, but in the 80th minute, a ball in the area wasn’t dealt with, and the Plymouth attacker looped the ball in just under the crossbar.

And, a matter of minutes later, Marine won it as Blues captain Sarah Miller half-blocked a shot from 18 yards but the ball went in.

Ilminster couldn’t find a leveller and somehow found themselves on the wrong end of the result.

The Blues go to table-toppers Buckland Athletics tomorrow (Wednesday, ko 7.30pm) and host Middlezoy Rovers on Sunday (ko 2pm).

Ilminster: Charlotte Johnson, Shannon Crouch, Daisy Charles, Dana Andrews, Charlie Pettinger, Megan Purchase, Sarah Miller (c), Maisie Parker, Amy Burge, Colette Martin, Erin Bloomfield. Substitute: Hannah Billing.
Player of the match: Dana Andrews.