Somerset County Division 1W
Winscombe 2, Ilminster Town 1

ILMINSTER Town travelled to fourth-placed Winscombe with promotion and the runners-up spot already assured, writes Andrew Fish.

And with champions Portishead Town Reserves possibly facing up to a 12-point penalty for playing an ineligible player, they could yet find themselves as league winners.

Winscombe needed to win to finish third, and both sides played some good football on a rock-hard pitch.

Chris Nezianya showed great skill and pulled the ball back to Taylor Jefferson, seeking his 20th goal of the season, but the ball took an awful bounce and his effort went over the bar.

At the other end Blues keeper Matt Bisgrove pulled off a great save down low, to keep it 0-0 at half time.

The home side took the lead on 50 minutes when their centre forward Paul Marquis broke clear and finished confidently past Bisgrove.

The pitch again played a part when in the 58th minute Nezianya fell and broke his wrist after landing.

Brad Miles came on as a replacement and Jason Manley reorganised, moving Rowswell up to join Jefferson and Joe Simmonds in a three-man attack.

Miles played a delightful ball between two defenders and Simmonds forced a great save from the keeper.

Paul Nichols was having a great game in the middle of the park, and he delivered a great corner for Jonny Manley to steam in at the far post and head home the equaliser.

But it was Winscombe who took all the points when after a fine run the left winger crossed and Blues captain Jonny May scored an own goal after another awkward bounce.

Winscombe went down to 10 men after their centre half was sent off for a skirmish near the Ilminster dugout, but they held out to win.

Ilminster celebrated their promotion campaign afterwards, but the most pleasing thing was to see Nezianya – cheerful despite his cast – when they returned to the Archie Gooch Pavilion.

The club wish him a speedy recovery.

Ilminster Town: Matt Bisgrove, Darren Brown, Jonny May, Jonny Manley, Sam Rowswell, Paul Nichols, Matt Brown, Jack Male, Chris Nezianya (Brad Miles), Joe Simmonds, Taylor Jefferson.