ILMINSTER TOWN B 5

DRIMPTON 6

DRIMPTON won an 11-goal classic at Ilminster on a wet and windy afternoon in Perry Street & District League Division Three.

From the first whistle Drimpton carried on from last week and relentlessly attacked the home side’s goal.

The Greens took the lead after the keeper made numerous good saves, Frankie Symonds poking home.

It was then time for Tim Hussey to take centre stage with a quick-fire hat-trick to give Drimpton a comfortable 4-0 lead.

A penalty was awarded after Hussey was flattened by a combination of the goalkeeper and defender, leaving Symonds to despatch the penalty calmly.

Two further chances were spurned on the stroke of half-time as Drimpton went in 5-0 up.

After the break, too many loose balls gave Ilminster a way back into the game.

A good cross by an Ilminster player was met with what turned out to be a stunning goal after an important headed challenge flew over the Drimpton keeper.

This gave the home some momentum and they quickly added to their tally when a dubious penalty was awarded.

Drimpton just could not get going and before they knew it the score was back to 5-4 as Kyle Smith notched a hat-trick.

However, with a player like Hussey in the ranks Drimpton knew they were always in the game.

So it proved as Hussey coolly slotted past the home keeper from a one-on-one to make the game and the points safe.

Ilminster managed to add another one with the last kick of the game.

Greens’ boss Andy Loudon said: “We went into this game knowing it would be a test, it just wasn’t as I expected.

“They couldn’t compete with us in the first 45 minutes and with the clinical finishing it put us in a comfort zone.

“This proved to be costly as we relaxed and took our foot off the gas allowing Ilminster back into the game.

“So at the final whistle it proved to be a test after all when we should have really controlled the possession better and not allowed them back into the game.

“It goes to show when the players feel disappointed and we won and maintained our winning start.”

Drimpton man of the match: Tim Hussey