Sunday, March 31

South West Women’s Football League

Premier Division

Ilminster Town 2

CALLINGTON’S season-long unbeaten away record failed to withstand an effective Ilminster display in their final away game of the campaign in Somerset.

The visitors travelled with their smallest squad of the season and were without influential central-midfielder Adele Brown for the first time this season due to work commitments. 

However, they were able to hand a starting debut to new winger Ezme Wells who has been out of the game for over a year since leaving Plymouth Argyle.

Both sides had chances in the first-half but it was the hosts who were the better side and they took the lead when Maisie Parker’s cross-shot was parried by keeper Sara Rowe into the path of an unmarked Graziely Esperanca, who made no mistake with her tap-in from five yards.

The second-half started like the first for the visitors, under pressure and sloppy in possession. They were punished just two minutes from the restart when a cross from the left found Abbie Carslake at the back-post and once again an unmarked Ilminster player had a relatively easy finish from close-range.

Callington threw caution to the wind and changed shape to allow a more direct front three to try and change their fortunes and went close on a couple of occasions through top-scorer Chloe Williams, but ultimately were beaten by the better side on the day.

Town will look to try and bounce back when they host Portishead this coming Sunday. The two sides played out a close game in the previous fixture where Callington came out 2-1 winners.