Axminster Town 2-4 Ilminster Town - away win for blues

After falling behind just before the half-hour mark, Ilminster responded immediately.

From the restart, Taylor Jefferson transformed the match with a Beckham-esque wonder goal, striking from just inside the Axminster half.

His precise shot sailed over young goalkeeper Ben Rich and into the net to make it 1–1.

After the equaliser, Ilminster upped their game and added three more goals to go in at half-time 4-1 up.

Axminster Town endured a poor South West Peninsula League campaign last season, finishing with just one point, but received a reprieve from relegation.

After four matches this season, they have already matched last year’s one-point tally but remain bottom of the division.

However, this performance offered the Devon side some cause for optimism.

Axminster more than matched the Blues in the first half hour.

Shay Allen kept the score at 0-0 with a fine save tipping the ball onto his crossbar in the 8th minute.

Just before the half-hour mark, Ilminster’s midfield failed to close down the experienced Sam Dibling.

Using the outside of his foot, he played a delightful pass to his son Owen, who calmly lifted the ball over Allen to finish in style.

Jefferson’s goal lifted his side.

Jordy Lovibond tried his luck from long range and saw Rich push it out for a corner.

From the set piece, Neil Martin got his shot away which was initially saved only for Jack Steer to score from the rebound, 2-1.

It was soon 3-1 as Lovibond found himself unmarked in the centre of the goal as he headed home from a Burn cross.

Within a couple of minutes Lovibond again was in the right place.

Rich could not hold a shot from Burn and he tapped home for his brace to make it 4-1.

With the match won, Ilminster slowed the pace of the match in the second half.

Axminster were not helped as they went down to ten men as one of their players kicked out.

To their credit, they never let their heads drop and Jayden Rooke pulled a goal back to make the final score 4-2.

Substitutes Lewis Trusson and Even Howse both had chances to increase the lead for the Blues.

They were denied by last-ditch clearances off the line.

Jordy Lovibond was given the man of the match award, his pace and positioning causing lots of problems for the Axminster back line.

The hosts look a better side than they were last season and as their youngsters gain experience at this level they will improve as the season progresses.