Ilminster Town 1-4 Uphill Castle

FOR the second week running Ilminster Town gave away sloppy goals in the opening exchanges of their Somerset Premier County match as they gave themselves to much to do in the second half.

Their opponents Uphill Castle who won Division One last season are a useful addition to the Premier League, in what is looking like a stronger Division than previous seasons they opened the scoring in the first five minutes as hesitancy in the back line led to a tap in.

It was soon 2-0 to the visitors when a cross from the right was headed in by Jack Askins.

The Blues responded with their first meaningful attack with Lewis Trusson making a strong run and delivering a good cross into the box that should have been finished.

Ilminster gave the ball away in midfield and Uphill were in again, Jack Rutter made a fine save to keep it at 2-0.

Then for the second time Ilminster gifted the third goal after poor decision making.

As last week the second half preformance was better, an early goal was pulled back when Elliott Carvert played a ball into the path of Jack Steer who found the bottom corner with a smart finish to make it 1-3 with his first competitive goal for his new club.

Uphill though made the match safe when they added a forth goal with  a fine individual effort from Aidan McKenna.

The Blues did push for a second with the Uphill defence defending well, substitute Chris Nezianya went close when he got on the end of a Harvey Saunders cross with a header, this apart there were no other chances as Uphill comfortably saw the match out.

Joe Allen on his first start had a good match in the midfield.

With a new team and half not playing at this level before, it will take a little time to adjust, although as the Blues Supporters around the ground have alluded to the football being played is certainly an improvement on the last couple of seasons.

The management team are confident that with time that the team will improve as they work hard on the training field .

There is no game next week for the team with the next fixture not until the following Saturday, a Somerset Senior Cup fixture home to Burnham United who currently sit top of Division One after winning both of their opening two matches.