In a commanding display, Ilminster Vulcans faced off against Ilchester Youth U11 Pumas in a cup away match at the Yeovil Recreation Centre on 1st February 2025. The match kicked off at 11:15 am and concluded with an emphatic scoreline of 9-0 in favour of the Vulcans, showcasing their dominance throughout the encounter.
The Vulcans set up in a 3-4-1 formation, with Euan Green in goal, supported by a solid back three consisting of Gordon Sheahan on the right, Taylor Underhill in the centre, and Leo Wyatt on the left. In midfield, Harrison Winter operated on the right, while Noah Chapman took up the left flank, with Maurice Isaacs and Cody Curtis anchoring the central positions. Up front, Kobi Stahl was tasked with leading the attack as the lone striker.
The substitutes for the match included Finley Perry, Rocco Jones, Rory Davenport, and Reggie Sayer, who would later play pivotal roles as the game unfolded.
The match began with Kobi Stahl making an early attempt on goal in the fifth minute, but his effort went wide, signalling the Vulcans' intent. Just five minutes later, Taylor Underhill showcased his defensive prowess with a crucial interception, preventing a potential chance for the Pumas.
As the first half progressed, tactical changes were made, with Finley Perry coming on for Harrison Winter in the 15th minute. The Vulcans then struck first in the 25th minute, as Kobi Stahl found the back of the net with a well-placed shot from outside the box, assisted by Maurice Isaacs through a short pass.
Leo Wyatt quickly followed up with a brace, scoring his first in the 28th minute after receiving a short pass from Stahl, finishing from close range. Just a minute later, Wyatt added another to his tally, this time with a brilliant solo effort, leaving the Pumas' defence in disarray.
The Vulcans continued to dominate, making further substitutions in the 30th minute as Reggie Sayer replaced Cody Curtis, Harrison Winter returned to the pitch for Noah Chapman, Rory Davenport came on for Gordon Sheahan, and Rocco Jones replaced Kobi Stahl.
The first half concluded with a commanding 3-0 lead for Ilminster Vulcans, but they were far from finished. The second half commenced with Harrison Winter scoring a solo goal in the 35th minute, further extending the lead to four.
Rocco Jones then made his mark in the 40th minute, netting a goal with a cross assist from Finley Perry, showcasing the team’s fluid attacking play. The scoring continued as Reggie Sayer unleashed a stunning long-range effort in the 43rd minute, marking it as a true screamer.
Rocco Jones was not done yet, as he scored again in the 45th minute, this time assisted by Harrison Winter, demonstrating the Vulcans' cohesive team play. Finley Perry joined the scoring spree with a solo effort in the 48th minute, making it 7-0.
Finally, Rocco Jones capped off a remarkable performance with his third goal in the 50th minute, assisted by Maurice Isaacs, sealing the match with a resounding 9-0 victory for Ilminster Vulcans.
The referee, U Referee, oversaw the match with a performance that allowed the game to flow, despite a few tactical substitutions that disrupted the rhythm at times. The attendance of 50 spectators witnessed an impressive display of football from the Vulcans, who will undoubtedly take great confidence from this emphatic win as they progress in the cup competition.
