Winscombe defeated Ilminster 4-2 with striker Marquiss netting all of the goals.

Winscombe 4

Ilminster 2

Winscombe defeated a stubborn Ilminster side 4-2 played in atrocious conditions.

With the wind at their backs, Winscombe were lucky not to go behind when Ilminster’s centre forward rounded Page, but Massey slid in and cleared the ball away.

Winscombe started playing the kind of football that helped them last year with Stoves and Hughes in midfield and the impressive Mason and the returning Clark on the wings, bringing both Flint and Marquiss into play.

They took the lead from the penalty spot when the centre half handled a goalbound effort with his arm and Marquiss slotted home the kick with ease and soon after Marquiss doubled the score after a good move.

The second half saw Winscombe under pressure with the wind in their faces, but the back four of Heal, Hosey, Massey and Hooper kept the ball away from Page’s goal.

The hosts extended their lead when Marquiss picked up a throw-in and from 25 yards out and on the angle, blasted an unstoppable shot past the keeper. He made it 4-0 soon after with his seventh goal in two games when he broke through and pushed the ball past the advancing keeper.

Winscombe could have scored another when substitute Collier beat four or five defenders before hitting the post. Ilminster scored two late goals which took the gloss off an excellent performance from Winscombe.

Winscombe Fish Bar man of the match was Ryan Mason.