Ilminster Ladies 1 v 4 Ashton Ladies

On a blustery wet day in Ilminster, Ashton ladies arrived at the Archie Gooch Pavilion with back to back wins, 19 goals scored and hitting a bit of form.

With the wind behind them in the first half, Ilminster put pressure on the backline from the off and a few chances went begging for the Blues in the first 15 minutes. Then the number 8 and top scorer broke the deadline passing several Ashton players with ease slotting the ball away from a tight angle.

A fine reaction save from Keira Allan kept the scoreline down by tipping the ball round the post extending her right arm to block the shot. In a difficult day for both keepers, Keira made several important saves and commanded the area well.

Honey Ongley caused problems for the opposition throughout the match out on the left flank with her mazy runs and direct play.

Ashton Ladies responded well playing against the vertical wind and rain but chances were few and far between. Then, out of nowhere Teagan Ford with a lobbing shot from the edge of the box and a little help from the head wind, shot a lobbing effort over the Ilminster keeper to level the scores just before half time.

The second half Ashton Ladies came out with their tails up and with the elements now in their favour, put pressure on Ilminster playing some good football. A crunching tackle on the edge of the box seen Meli Millard-Riga grab to ball and placed it on the floor. With the Ilminster wall lined up, Meli took the free kick, lobbing the wall and slotting the ball away central and above the keeper to make it 1-2 to Ashton Ladies.

Ilminster continued to attack in an attempt to level the scores but the Ashton defence, consisting of Mea Porter, Ruby Miles, Liz Casling and player of the match for her work rate and defensive skills Liv Plummer, kept Ilminster at bay.

Ashton Ladies extended their lead with another fine effort from Teagan Ford scoring from 25 yards out to make it 1-3. The same player could have had a hattrick turning the Ilminster defender on the edge of the box and with a great left foot effort seen the ball bounce back off the left upright.

The scoring was finished around 10 minutes from the end with Paige Ponsford coming off the bench and leaping on to a loose ball sliding the ball into the net to make the score line 1-4.

Manager Steve Ponsford had this to say; "I thought we were excellent all over the pitch today. We played some good football and dealt with the physical side of the game really well". Steve continued "My young squad will have learnt a lot today and we need matches like this to learn and develop". " The step up to ladies football for most of the squad has been a learning curve and the team has developed and gelled really well this season, I am delighted with that and the progression we are showing".

A fine performance, Ashton Ladies celebrated in the clubhouse after, but unbeknown to them, their bus in the car park had some issues. It failed to start and after some running around the local area to find jump leads, managed to obtain a set from a local Ilminster football club representative Alan, after the power of social media. After getting the bus started and getting back up a soaking wet M5, the bus gave out again at Junction 23 and managed to limp into Dunball Service Station where it remained until late in to the evening waiting for recovery. Most of the players were able to jump into other cars travelling back from the match and get back to Bristol which was a blessing.

We would like to thank Alan from Ilminster FC for coming to our rescue and getting up going from the football club.

In summary, a brilliant performance by Ashton Ladies, many players could easily have been player of the match, but a huge well done to Liv Plummer for her performance today.