WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: Ilminster Ladies march on in FA Cup

ILMINSTER Town Ladies kept their nerve to win a tense penalty shoot-out to march into the next round of the Women’s FA Cup.

The Blues travelled to Middlezoy, near Bridgwater, on Sunday (September 18, 2016) for the Second Qualifying Round match.

Middlezoy started as favourites as they ply their trade in a league above Ilminster and had already beaten The Blues convincingly in a pre-season friendly.

But form and guide go out of the window in the FA Cup.

This young Ilminster team with veteran centre half Emma Jennings helping out from the reserves had improved since pre-season and started the game strongly.

With both teams creating chances Middlezoy took a lead around the half-hour mark and went in at the interval leading the Blues.

The second-half saw Ilminster come out strong and started causing their opponents problems.

A slight change of formation was made to introduce another veteran Lesley Spearing, who had only arrived back in the country from America in the morning, gave Ilminster more pace and direction.

The front two of Kirsty Mears and Shannon Crouch were causing Middlezoy's defence problems and it was Crouch who broke free and finished for the equaliser.

Ilminster's defence was resolute and with centre midfielders of captain Sarah Miller and 16-year-old Zara Dopson in front of them this Ilminster team would need some breaking down.
Ilminster couldn't quite take advantage of their chances and the 90 minutes finished 1-1 and went into extra-time.

By now Ilminster were on top and finished the first half of extra-time as they did 90 minutes creating chances but not finding the final finish.

In control and with ten minutes of extra time remaining it was Crouch who broke the Middlezoy defence line again to finish a one on one with the keeper to make it 2-1 Ilminster.
The goal spurred on Middlezoy and with two minutes to go from a corner Middlezoy equalised to take the game into penalties.

The more experienced Middlezoy looked the more confident but their first spot-kick was hit over. Sixteen-year-old Crouch stepped up for Ilminster and smashed home the first spot-kick to put The Blues ahead.

The next five kicks were missed with Ilminster keeper Kath Parsons stopping two of Middlezoy's penalties to finish off a fine performance.

The final responsibility fell to captain Sarah Miller who stepped up to confidently slot Ilminster's fourth penalty away and take The Blues into the next round where they have drawn Plymouth Argyle at home on Sunday, October 9, 2016, in a 2pm kick-off.

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