Somerset Premier Division: lminster Town 0-0 Mendip Broadwalk

ILMINSTER Town took a point off the League leaders with a resolute performance at the weekend, writes Andrew Fish.

The Bristol based side with the addition of a strong bench went for the win in the last ten minutes, Ilminster stood strong and the whole team gave their all to hold out and take a very deserved draw.

Although possession was even throughout the match, the Blues created more chances than Mendip and could have won the game on another day.

Both sides were evenly matched in the first twenty minutes without a shot on target, after the opening stalemate Lewis Trusson hit a shot with power from 30 yards out that the keeper punched to safety, while at the other end Jack Rutter dealt with a shot from the edge of the box.

Taylor Jefferson back in the starting side after recovering from injury then got in a good cross that Trusson meet with a strong header forcing the Mendip keeper to tip the ball over for a corner.

Both sides came across good defence’s as they tried to break through and this continued at the start of the second half.

Ilminster were now finding more room as the game opened up, they won a corner and Tom Case came in at the back post, he just could not get up high enough as at full stretch his header just never had enough power to trouble the keeper.

Jefferson made a run from left to right before finding a little room on the edge of the area as the goal opened up, he could not get enough curl on the ball and his effort went wide.

At the other end Rutter got down smartly to tip the ball round the post as a powerful low shot headed for the bottom corner.

Ilminster attacked again when Trusson went on a strong run and with the gap narrowing he blasted the ball wide.

Mendip brought on their substitutes and with Ilminster visibly tiring and retreating backwards the visitors went up a gear looking for the win,  the defence stood strong with Lee Sweet putting in one great block as he dived to stop a shot.

It really was a fine team effort with everyone giving their all, the defence all played well and the midfield worked really hard with Thomas Lee taking the vote as star man for a totally committed display in the heart of the action.

Team : Jack Rutter, Tom Case, Kane Lee, Lee Sweet, Elliott Calvert, Callum Lacey,  Thomas Lee, Owen Burn, Lewis Trusson, Taylor Jefferson, Kieran Manley.

Subs Used: Karl Davis, Alex Paul, Evan Howse.

Next week is the Somerset Senior Cup 2nd round with Division 1 Minehead the visitors at the Archie Gooch Pavilion the match gives off at the earlier time of 2.00pm