MINEHEAD Colts are through to the semi-finals of the Taunton Saturday League’s Gardner Cup after a penalty shootout (5-4) against North Curry following a 3-3 draw at Castle School.

Minehead went behind as early as the 3rd minute when a misplaced back pass was pounced on by a forward who gave keeper Tomasz Kubaczewski no chance.

Minehead fought hard to get back into the game but Curry continued to look the more organised team and scored again after 25 minutes.

The introduction of Minehead substitute Caleb Laney paid dividends when he was upended in the box and got up to score from the spot.

Minehead were stronger now and beginning to control the game with Lyam Scheepers driving on the midfield which included Kaan Huckle playing his first game for two years.

However, against the run of play, Curry went 3-1 ahead before the effervescent Ethan Mitchell let fly from outside the box giving the Curry keeper no chance. The Minehead defence including Alfie Cotterell, Ashton Bruford and Myles Campbell-Farmer were now solid and kept the Curry forwards at distance. The equaliser for the Colts came with 10 minutes to go when a good move involving Laney and 16 year old Haiden Griffiths saw the latter finish coolly.

Mark Vickers