MIDDLEZOY'S 66th minute winning goal was enough to separate the teams in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League last Saturday, with the three points elevating the visitors into a promotion position with eight league games to play, writes BRIAN WALDER.

Minehead started on the front foot and well before the first minute had elapsed a fierce left footed shot from leading scorer Guy Burns went inches over the bar after good work by Toby Waghorn who had created the opening.

Blues’ keeper Vinnie Jones kept the scores level when he kept out Zoy centre forward Liam Gilbert’s close-range header, the first of a number of saves, but in general it was Minehead who were slightly edging play.

As the half wore on possession superiority fluctuated but it took a Charlie Purvis clearance to avert the danger after Jones had been rounded to keep it at 0-0.

Towards the end of an even first half, Burns again went close for Minehead after a weaving run but his shot from a good position was straight at visiting keeper Jon Higgins and the chance was gone.

After 15 minutes of the second half had been played, Middlezoy striker Liam Gilbert was sent off after a challenge on home keeper Vinnie Jones, but this only seemed to raise the visitors’ resolve and they continued to push for a a winner.

Fellow Zoy striker Liam Winter then found himself in the referee’s book after a foul on Guy Burns, as tempers started to fray.

Blues defender Toby Morris was next to rescue Minehead, with a timely interception at the far post.

Then, following a frenetic goalmouth scramble which included Vinnie Jones making two exceptional reactionary saves, the ball also coming back off both the post and crossbar from two other separate attempts, the ball was finally forced home by Zoy full back Harry Smith.

With 20 minutes remaining a double substitution saw Charlie Disney and Lewis Goodrum replace Charlie Purvis and Toby Waghorn respectively, and shortly afterwards Oliver Jones replaced Tiago Alcantra, but it was Vinnie Jones who once more kept Minehead in the game when his lightning reactions enabled him to block Winter’s point-blank header with his foot.

Minehead: Adam “Vinnie” Jones, Charlie Purvis, Toby Morris, Rob Vickers, Ryan Wilkins, Luke Badcock, Stefan Phillips, Tiago Alcantra, Toby Waghorn, Guy Burns, Sam Jackson. Subs: Lewis Goodrum, Charlie Disney, Oliver Jones (all used), Leo Aherne.

Man of the Match: Vinnie Jones

Minehead now face five away games in their six-game run-in to the end of the season. The next fixture they play being in two weeks’ time on Easter Saturday, March 30, when they visit Stockwood Green in South Bristol.