Ilminster Town started the season in style as they eased past a young Bishops Sutton side at home.

The visitors, regrouping from their relegation from the Toolstation Western League last season, included players from their U18s set-up.

It took the Blues an hour to break the deadlock, which was thanks to hard-work from Bishops Sutton, with Louis Rutter bundling a ball home from close range in a packed penalty area.

Kieran Manley added a second five minutes later, securing the points with a near-post header from a Lee Sweet corner.

The match began at a frantic pace, with the visitors not allowing Ilminster any time on the ball.

Ilminster's first chance came at the 30-minute mark, with the young keeper saving with his feet from Taylor Jefferson.

Lee Sweet had an effort kicked off the line as the team pushed for the opening goal.

Five minutes before the break, the keeper saved a shot from Kieran Manley.

Ilminster began to dominate possession as the young visitors tired at the start of the second half.

Once Louis Rutter scored, the Blues looked more at ease.

Manley added the second, making the game more comfortable.

Jack Steer came off the bench and was unlucky when his first-touch shot hit the crossbar.

Manley was also unlucky not to add another goal towards the end of the match, when his goal-bound effort was blocked by the face of his teammate, Josh Philips.

Shay Allen and his defence kept a clean sheet.

Star man was Harvey Saunders, who was influential in the middle of the park.

Town now sit second in the Premier Division of the Somerset County League.

Next week, the team travel to Chilcompton Sports, in what will be a real test against a team who finished second, behind champions Mendip Broadwalk, last season.