Somerset County Division 1W
Ilminster Town 2, Uphill Castle 1

ILMINSTER were up against mid-table Uphill Castle and looking to get their promotion bid firmly back on track after last week’s defeat against runaway leaders Portishead, writes Andy Fish.

Both sides produced an entertaining 3-3 draw back in September and, with 80 minutes on the clock, another draw looked on the cards.

But, when a corner was won on the right, Sam Rowswell struck the perfect delivery with his left foot and centre half Jonny Manley dived forward to score with a bullet header to win the match for his side.

With keeper Casper Paine on holiday, team boss Jason Manley brought in former Crewkerne keeper Matt Bisgrove between the sticks, and also experienced wide forward Chris Nezianya was recalled after injury.

Uphill were playing neat and tidy football and keeping possession well and it was against the run of play when Josh Parsons won the ball at the back and played a long through ball down the middle, the Uphill keeper was not decisive enough and Joe Simmonds was left with an easy finish to put the home side 1-0 up in the 10th minute.

Ilminster were playing on the counter-attack and Simmonds could have added another as his shot went wide.

Parsons was left one on one at the back and on both occasions, not only did he win the ball cleanly with great timing, but he also had the ability to start the next attack that ended with a great move where Nezianya saw his shot blocked on the line.

The game was end-to-end and Ilminster, with the advantage of a strong wind, were looking for the second goal that would give them the advantage.

However, Uphill twice went close as the half ended, first their striker pulled his shot wide, then Bisgrove did well narrowing the angle and turning the ball past the post.

Uphill started the second period brightly and deservedly equalised.

Jack Male and Aaron Sweet were introduced from the subs’ bench and the Blues pushed forward in the closing stages.

Rowswell shot just over and both Taylor Jefferson and Simmonds worked hard as Uphill tired.

Then came the corner and Jason Manley’s first goal of the season, a fantastic header that deserved to win the match - and keep Ilminster third in the league.

Josh Parsons was the star man with another terrific performance. 

Ilminster: Matt Bisgrove, Darren Brown, Josh Parsons, Jon Manley, Jonny May (capt), Sam Rowswell, Matt Brown, Paul Nichols, Joe Simmonds, Chris Nezianya, Taylor Jefferson. Subs: Jack Male for Nezianya; Aaron Sweet for Nichols.

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South-West Women’s Eastern Division
Ilminster Town Ladies 4, Team Mendip 0

ILMINSTER took on bottom of the league Team Mendip on Sunday and brought in experienced Hayley Francis between the sticks.

Danielle Bristow made her second appearance for Ilminster as Amy Goss, Molly Bidgood and Emma Jennings were also called in to cover for holidays and injuries.

Ilminster created numerous chances in the early stages but it wasn’t until the 20th minute when Town finally broke the deadlock.

Shannon Crouch’s workrate paid off as she chased down a ball from captain Sarah Miller; although the keeper was favourite, Crouch got there first to slot the ball into the bottom right corner.

The second goal came 20 minutes later after good play from Megan Purchase and Sarah Miller set Crouch free again with the same result.

Town extended their lead in the 48th minute through Maisie Poole, firing home from 20 yards.

Two minutes later it was 4-0 as Crouch completed a hat-trick running on to a ball from Miller and making no mistake.

Town created and missed a hatful of chances but went on to a comfortable victory.

Player of the match was Sarah Miller.