Somerset County Premier

Ilminster Town 2, Berrow 1

BERROW were unable to build on last weekend’s 10-man victory and put in a disappointing performance to lose at Ilminster on Saturday.

Jack Taylor was on target for Berrow midway through the first-half to give his side the lead, but they were unable to kick on and Ilminster scored twice shortly before the break.

Naming an unchanged side for the first time this season Berrow made a good start, with Steve Leaf going down under challenge from the home keeper only for the ref to award a corner.

From Luke McErlain’s corner Byron Lismore’s volley was cleared off the line via the underside of the cross bar.

Leaf and Jack Smith both had goal-bound shots blocked as Berrow dominated the opening 10 minutes, only for a defensive mistake to present the pacey home striker with a run at goal, but Nick Slack stood up well to make a save.

The home side came into the game from that point and the same player got through down the Berrow right again only to pull his shot wide.

Jack Taylor was put through twice but great McErlain through balls, hitting the side netting first before making no mistake the second time to give the keeper no chance.

Instead of pushing on Berrow sat back and were punished when a long cross ended with the big striker getting the last touch to force the ball over the line.

Taylor and Leaf were causing the home defence problems but it was Ilminster who went in at half-time ahead - a half cleared corner reached a home player whose shot from the edge of the box beat Slack, although he got a hand to it.

After the break, Leaf forced a good save from the keeper and Lismore did well to control McErlain’s pass on his chest and volley towards goal, but missed the target by inches.

Taylor should have won a penalty when he was pulled back in the box as he was about to shoot, but Berrow got what they deserved for a poor performance.