South West Women’s League
Premier Division
Ilminster Town Ladies 2, Bishops Lydeard Ladies 1

ILMINSTER Town Ladies hosted second-placed Bishops Lydeard on Sunday for a well-contested derby match.

The Blues came flying out the blocks, with both Abbie Carslake and Dee Clarke-Trott Cracknell going close in the opening five minutes.

This pressure continued, with Colette Martin and Maisie Parker also coming close to breaking the deadlock.

Captain Sarah Miller was forced off by injury, but the hosts deservedly went ahead in the 18th minute, when Maisie Parker beat a defender and unleashed a great strike across the keeper into the bottom corner.

Lydeard were starting to find their feet, though, and forced Blues keeper Charlotte Johnson into a couple of smart saves.

The visitors equalised just before half time, as Holly Miller collected a loose ball, beat a couple of defenders and finished well.

The second half was much the same as the first, with the teams battling to gain the upper hand.

Parker always looked very lively, and her efforts paid off when, seven minutes from time, she chased down a back-pass, blocked the clearance and lobbed the keeper from 18 yards.

Ilminster: Charlotte Johnson, Georgia Coward, Sarah Miller (c), Daisy Charles, Dana Andrews, Charlie Pettinger, Hannah Billing, Abbie Carslake, Maisie Parker, Colette Martin, Dee Clarke-Trott Cracknell. Substitutions: Amy Goss, Lesley Spearing

Man of the match: Colette Martin

On Sunday, Ilminster travel to Brislington Ladies in the Somerset Senior Cup.