Uhlsport Somerset Premier Division: Ilminster Town 5-1 Clutton

ILMINSTER Town won against bottom of the table Clutton on Saturday, the goals were scored by Taylor Jefferson with a hat-trick and one each for Lewis Trusson and Tom Lee in this comprehensive win, writes Andrew Fish.

The team have hit good form of late and this was their third win in three games,  in the last eight matches they have only been beaten once away at Wells City.

The Blues started at a fast pace knocking the ball about with confidence, in the opening ten minutes both Evan Howse and Jefferson had shots on target while twice Kris Hastings had headers cleared off the line from corners. Lewis Trusson then burst through and was unlucky as his shot hit the post.

Heavy rain began to fall making it difficult for both sides, Clutton seemed to adapt better, with a shot from distance nearly giving them the lead in the 27th minute, the ball gathering pace on the wet surface, Jack Rutter though was equal to it moving quickly and making a great save low down. From a corner the visitors again went close when a header flashed over the bar.

With 36 minutes gone,Howse with his back to goal turned well forcing a good save from the Clutton keeper who was having a fine match.

Then for the first time Ilminster showed real quality when Jefferson picked up the ball and played a defence splitting pass into the path of Trusson, this time he was clinical, cutting inside, beating his man and finding the corner of the net to give his side a 1-0 lead to take into half time.

The goal gave the side the confidence needed as they began the second half well, a corner dropped at the feet of Jefferson who turned and shot with the ball taking a slight deflection before hitting the back of the net for 2-0.

A great team goal followed, Lee Sweet drove forward in midfield before finding Trusson out wide where his cross was finished by Jefferson to make it 3-0.

Ilminster were completely dominant now, Thomas Lee made it 4-0 with a well stuck shot from distance.

Clutton have lost most of their side from last season and to their credit their young side never gave in, Kane Lee on as a substitute made a great block as he stopped a goal bound effort, just after a well stuck shot from distance made it 4-1.

Towards the end of the match Rutter launched a long kick down field, it bounced over the heads of the defence and Jefferson timed his run to perfection lifting the ball over the keepers head as he came out to complete his hat-trick and taking the star man vote for his all action display.