Somerset Premier Division: Ilminster Town 1-0 Keynsham Town Reserves

ILMINSTER Town ground out a 1-0 win against mid table Keynsham thanks to a first half strike by teenage striker Evan Howse, writes Andrew Fish.

It really should have been a more relaxed ending to the match with a few chances missed late on that would have made the score line more of a true reflection of the whole ninety minutes.

It took to the 30th minute mark of the first half before a shot on goal by either team, it was Tom Case that had the effort as he turned well in the 18 yard area before firing just over.

From the goal kick that followed Brad Pitman picked up the loose clearance before driving forward and played a well weighted pass into the feet of Howse who controlled it first time, before hitting a shot with power that found the back of the net to put his side 1-0 up.

Most of the action in the first half did take place in the Keynsham half with neither side having any other real clear cut chances either side of the Howse goal.

Jack Steer headed just over from a Callum Lacey corner at the start of the second half.

Keynsham then came more into the match as the half progressed and midway through they worked a good opening that the striker put over the bar when well placed.

The Blues then clicked into gear, looking for the second goal that would make the match safe with ten minutes remaining, Taylor Jefferson diverting a delivery from out wide via his knee on target that the keeper just tipped over at full stretch.

Pitman then made a great run from midfield beating his man before squaring the ball to the on rushing Lewis Trusson, who rather than putting his foot through the ball tried to place it in the bottom corner giving the covering defender enough time to make a last ditch block on the goal line.

Moments later Pitman saw his shot also cleared off the line with the keeper beaten as Keynsham somehow stayed in the match.

The Ilminster defence stood strong finishing with a clean sheet that gave their side the win, Lee Sweet and Owen Burn both looking impressively solid thought out the ninety minutes.

It was the returning Brad Pitman who took the star man award for an impressive display in midfield, his running power certainly gives the management team another option going forward.

The team are in a good run of form, this was the fifth win in a row, although three of these wins were in the Somerset Senior and Somerset County League cups where the quarter finals have been reached in both competitions.

Next week the team travel to Clutton who find themselves bottom of the Somerset County Premier League , the match as all December, January and February fixtures kicks off at 2.00pm