MINEHEAD Under 16s girls beat their Purnell counterparts 2-0 on their longest away journey of the season and top-of-the-table clash.

The victory leaves Minehead with the opportunity to win the Somerset Girls Football League title.

Sitting a point ahead of Purnell, who have finished their season, Minehead have three games to earn the two points needed to be crowned champions.

There was a sense of anticipation about this fixture with a lot at stake between two good teams.

The highly anticipated encounter kicked off with Minehead ensuring that the long journey was quickly rewarded with an opening-minute goal after a rehearsed throw-in routine.

Izzy made her way to unleash one of her long throws into skipper Erin, the Purnell defence unprepared left her time to bring the ball down, turning quickly Erin and struck a fantastic shot into the roof of the net to give The Blues a 1-0 lead with her 27th of the season.

Elation for Minehead as taking the lead against a steely Purnell defence who have been so hard to penetrate this season put them into the ascendancy.

Purnell rocked by the early goal meant Minehead were having joy early on and quickly creating chances but nothing tangible enough to warrant a second.

The game started to balance out when Minehead won a free kick 10 yards into the Purnell half.

Bonita stood over the free kick and noticed the goalie well off her line, striking the ball beautifully the free kick looped in the air caught the keeper off guard and the bounce just in front meant she was unable to handle it as it rose over her head and into the net.

The first half was petering out as both sides seemed settled on regrouping ahead of a big second half in this contest and the season as whole.

As the second half began, the emphasis was on Purnell to change the proceedings.

Minehead evidently had a clear game plan in order to nullify the Purnell onslaught, which was sure to come with the dangerous 2-0 lead.

What became apparent as the half progressed was the truly immense camaraderie, togetherness, and maturity from Minehead.

Purnell tried and tried to penetrate the Minehead back line but to no avail, with Bonita,

Lucy, and Izzy holding firm alongside stand-in goalkeeper Ruby, looking remarkably calm and composed.

As the game entered its final stages, Purnell were growing increasingly frustrated as the work rate across the pitch from the Blues was relentless.

The front three of Mabel, Erin and Evie chasing every ball, the midfield team of Emily, Lilly, Jaz, and Alana staying compact, rigid and switched on.

What spectators were witnessing was a Minehead side putting the pretty stuff aside and prioritising keeping Purnell out.

Minehead were now so close to a 10th straight win, another clean sheet, and crucially a big three points.

Purnell threw everything Minehead’s way but to no avail.

It was Minehead who came closest to scoring again after Erin’s shot when just wide from a left-footed strike.

The resulting goal-kick was taken, and the referee blew the whistle.

Music to the Minehead ears as they had completed an emphatic and well-deserved victory.

They face Wembdon in the first of these matches at home at Minehead FC on Saturday morning with a 10:30am kick off.