Somerset County Premier

Bridgwater Town Reserves 1, Ilminster 1

BRIDGWATER Town Reserves manager Luke Buckingham admitted his side ‘weren’t at their best’ during last week’s draw with struggling Ilminster.

Substitute forward Kenzie Farnham rescued a point for Town late on, after Ilminster had gone ahead before the interval – and Buckingham was left to rue some poor decision making from his players.

"As a collective we weren't at our best today, we had some good build up play in the middle third of the pitch, but our decision making in the final third let us down and Ilminster defended well to limit us to only a few chances,” he said.

“I was however, delighted with 16-year-olds Harry Hamblin and Nash Eastwood who played their first game at this level and performed excellently. “With continued hard work I'm sure they'll have bright futures in the game.”

Bridgwater will have come away from this game frustrated after dominating territory and possession throughout.

The home side gave a first start to 16-year-old Nash Eastwood who has impressed in recent u18s and Development Centre fixtures. They also have a first start of the season to 18-year-old centre back Josh Lewis and forward Tom Holder, whose last minute strike against Cutters Friday last week sealed the victory.

Bridgwater started well with some good build up play and it was youngster Eastwood who looked most likely to make something happen. 20 minutes in, Eastwood picked the ball up on the edge of the box, beat his man and fired a curling shot inside the far post only to be denied by a finger tipped saved from the Ilminster keeper.

Against the run of play, Ilminster went ahead after a mix up in the Bridgwater defence allowed the Ilminster forward to prop the ball home from close range.

Bridgwater came flying out of the traps at half time with Callum Laird who was playing in an unfamiliar wide midfield position causing the Ilminster back line on a consistent basis. Ilminster did well to deal with wave after wave of Bridgwater attacks and some stubborn defending limited Bridgwater to only half chances. With the game slipping away from Bridgwater, substitute forward Kenzie Farnham beat his defender and hit a magnificent curling strike across the goalkeeper in to the far corner of the net to equalise.