Somerset County Premier

Berrow 3, Ilminster Town 2

SCOTT Lismore scored twice as Berrow got off to a winning start with hard-fought 3-2 triumph over Ilminster Town on Saturday.

Luke McErlain added a third for the hosts in the second half, before a late Ilminster penalty set up a nervy final period for Berrow.

Berrow got off to the perfect start when Scott Lismore fired Berrow into an early lead, but they were soon pegged back when an uncharacteristic error from Nick Slack gifted Ilminster an equaliser.

Berrow huffed and puffed but never really got into full flow in the first half but Lismore was outstanding and fired Berrow back into the lead with a brilliant finish.

Heading into the break with the lead, Berrow improved in the second half and largely controlled things, Slack was a mere spectator for long periods but the big visitors were always threatening from set pieces, Slack more than made amends for his error dealing brilliantly with some testing deliveries.

Berrow added a third when Dave Keirle was downed on the edge of the box, skipper Luke McErlain stepped up and curled a beauty into the top corner.

Then on in, it was all Berrow, with a couple of fine stops from the visiting keeper and an unbelievable last ditch challenge thwarting the hosts from stretching their lead further.

Jordi Eldridge was introduced for Berrow and his touch and trickery almost lead to a fourth but it wasn't to be.

Ilminster set up a nervy final few minutes after being awarded a penalty that was duly dispatched, but it was Berrow's day as they held on for all three points.

Next up for Berrow is a Tuesday night trip to Minehead.

Slack, Gass, B.Lismore (Osgood), West, Shepherd, L.McErlain, Sc.Lismore, Sh.Lismore, Yates (Eldridge), Keirle (Evans), J.Taylor.