Somerset County Senior Cup: Ilminster Town 10-1 Winscombe

ILMINSTER Town produced a master class in the second half of this Somerset County Senior Cup match scoring eight goals without reply, to move into the last eight of the competition, adding to the two first half goals to win comprehensively 10-1, writes Andrew Fish.

Strikers Taylor Jefferson and Evan Howse both scored hat tricks, substitute Drew Stride added two, while Lee Sweet and Joe Allan both got on the score sheet.

Winscombe who were in Division One last season lost many of their first team squad, they took the hard decision to fold the team and rebuild again in the bottom Division of the County League taking the place of their Reserves and run the one team. They have enjoyed some success this season and beat Division One Ashton and Backwell on penalties in the last round of the Senior Cup.

Ilminster started on the front foot dominating procession and had a couple of early half chances, the visitors certainly didn’t look out of their depth and grew in confidence scoring a well taken goal with their first chance in the 14th minute as their striker was given to much room, scoring with a well struck shot from just inside the 18 yard box.

Ilminster were not at their best needing some luck to get back in the match, Jefferson Intercepted a pass out from defence making the most of the gift by taking it forward and finishing in style to even it up at 1-1.

Before half time the team just started to dominate their opponents,  good team work led to a ball out wide to Jefferson who turned provider with a ball into the box that Evan Howse headed home to make it 2-1.

The second half was one way traffic as the fitness levels of playing in the higher league certainly made a difference, Howse scored a great goal as he cut in field before curling the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out to make it 3-1, Joe Allen made it 4-1soon after as he scored from a goal mouth scramble.

Ilminster were playing some good football now with Jefferson completing a fine team move with a composed finish to make it 5-1, Jefferson then had a shot on target which the keeper saved low down, the ball broke in the box where the alert Howse scored with a back heel to give him his hat-trick and make it 6-1.

The Ilminster management team brought on the replacements with Drew Stride making a immediate impact by picking up a back pass before rounding the keeper and slotting it in the empty net for 7-1.

Callum Lacey delivered a great cross into the box with Jefferson heading home for his hat-trick and his sides eighth goal.

It became 9-1 when Lee sweet ran through and calmly found the bottom corner, moments later Stride scored the best goal of the match when he ran at the full back before cutting inside and from 25 yards out, he hit a screamer that arrowed into the side netting to make it 10-1.

It was a joy to watch the second half with some fantastic football and clinical finishing, young Evan Howse was voted star man for his all round display and his hat-trick.

Next week its cup action again in the Quarter Finals of the Somerset County Premier/Division 1 League cup, the current league leaders Mendip Broadwalk visit the Archie Gooch Pavilion for a 2.00pm kick off.