MINEHEAD Reserves hosted Redgate last Saturday, both teams earning a point in an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Premier Division in the Taunton Saturday Football League.
Redgate were happy to let Minehead have the ball early on and sat back hoping to catch the Seasiders on the break. The Minehead midfield of Dan Vickers, Sam Heath and Oli Reaney wrapped up the midfield provided some early balls into the front three of Andy Hall, Fin Haran and Scott Kivell who caused the Redgate concerns all afternoon.
Early chances fell to Heath, Haran and Kivell but the Redgate keeper was always in the right place at the right time. Despite Minehead’s dominance it was Redgate who took the lead from a class shot into the bottom corner of the net by seasoned striker Ian Ballinger.
Minehead continued to dominate but were unable to take any of the chances that came their way. They eventually broke the Redgate defence after a terrific run from just inside the Redgate half by full back Charlie Disney, who beat several players before calmly shooting into the Redgate net.
In the second half, the Blues were again on the front foot, Disney, Kivell and Hall going close. Redgate battled hard defensively and Minehead’s defence of Disney, JJ Knight, Harvey Lovell and Myles Campbell-Farmer were excellent all afternoon.
However with only their second real shot of the game it was Bellinger with his 7th of the season who bent the ball into the corner of the goal and for the second time giving keeper Dan Pawson no chance.
This was very much against the run of play. Minehead introduced Oli Jones in an attempt to break down the Redgate defence and with the visitors down to 10 men through injury it was Minehead’s Knight who went closest with a powerful header which the keeper did well to tip over.
However with 10 minutes to go and throwing everyone forward Hall played a decisive pass into Haran who ran past a couple of Redgate players before unleashing a shot that went low into the Redgate net to give Minehead a very well deserved point.
This was a good performance from a young Minehead side against an experienced opponent, and although they came away with a point they will be disappointed it wasn’t three.
Minehead Reserves are home again on Saturday, this time in the county Cup to unbeaten Haywood Village from the Weston Super Mare league.
Man of the match:- Dan Vickers. Minehead: Dan Pawson, Charlie Disney, Myles Campbell-Farmer, JJ Knight, Harvey Lovell, Dan Vickers, Oli Reaney, Sam Heath, Andy Hall, Fin Haran, Scott Kivell, subs:- Oli Jones (used) Andy Gubb, Luke Batts (not used)