Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Ilminster Town 0, Clevedon United 3

ILMINSTER Town’s tough start to the season continued, with in-form Clevedon United their opponents for the second time in three weeks, writes Andy Fish.

The Blues were hoping for revenge for their 7-2 defeat at Clevedon, but they were caught flat-footed from two corners.

Both goals were similar, with far-post deliveries being knocked back across goal for Clevedon, first for Dan Disley and then Mitch Probert to score.

Late on central striker Jack Thorne added a third, showing his class by twisting and turning Lee Sweet before rounding goalkeeper Jack Rutter for his sixth goal of the season, to give the score a unfair look about it at 3-0.

The sides cancelled each other out for the first 20 minutes, but with 22 minutes on the clock Clevedon had the first shot on target when Rutter did well to make a save low down.

Rutter again was forced into action where he made a brilliant save with his feet to divert the ball over the bar, but from the corner the far post ball was headed back across goal for Disley to score with a powerful header.

It took Ilminster 39 minutes before they created their first chance, when from a Lee Sweet free-kick Charlie Rutter timed his run well but failed to keep his header down.

Then, after Bruno Domingues showed neat skills to win a corner on the right, Doug Whitfield headed over.

The Blues also saw Will Spurway have a shot from distance deflected past the post, before Rich Crabb went on one of his trademark runs, leaving two players in his wake, but his low shot was well saved.

It had been a good end to the half and the hosts carried it into the second period, matching a good Clevedon United team, but it was in the final third where Ilminster failed to find the right pass.

Jack Rutter made another great save with his feet on the hour mark before the visitors scored their second from another corner, with Probert scoring this time.

With 10 minutes left the lively Thorne picked the ball up and with a lot of work to do twisted and turned his way past Sweet to score.

Ilminster never reached the level of performance of two weeks ago against Chilcompton; perhaps the week off due to the weather did not help, but it has also been a very difficult start to the season, with all four fixtures against teams currently in the top five.

Ilminster Town: Jack Rutter, Sam Roberts, Doug Whitfield, Lee Sweet, Rich Crabb, Will Spurway, Ben Pitman, Brad Pitman, Karl Davis, Bruno Domingues, Charlie Rutter. Subs: Brad Miles, Mike Whitefield, Taylor Jefferson.

This Saturday (3pm) the Blues host basement side Stockwood Green at Archie Gooch Pavilion.

***

Nailsea & Tickenham 3, Chard Town 0

SATURDAY’S fixture at Fryth Way went true to form, with Premier Division leaders Nailsea & Tickenham picking up their fifth straight win while handing winless Chard Town a fifth consecutive defeat.

The hosts had to work hard for it, though, as a resolute Robins side got through to half-time with the score at 0-0.

The breakthrough came in the 62nd minute, and Nailsea added two more goals after the 80th-minute mark to add gloss to the scoreline.

Luke Osgood bagged two of the goals, with Ollie Carter also on target.

Nonetheless, the Robins can take plenty of encouragement from their performance, especially from the first hour, as they prepare to welcome Nailsea United to Zembard Lane this coming Saturday (3pm).

United have one win and four defeats so far this season.