MINEHEAD won the second local derby of the season against Watchet, winning 7-0 at home in Division Two of the Under 14 section in the Taunton & District Youth Football League.

A hat-trick from Casey Paxton, a brace from Sam Taylor-Pitkin and goals from Reggie High and Ewan Stitt enabled Minehead to pull off the double over their West Somerset rivals.

Minehead dominated possession during the opening 20 minutes, but Watchet defended well.

The breakthrough eventually came from another corner. Reggie High converted Charlie Bonar’s great delivery hitting the top corner with a great strike.

Ewan Stitt doubled the lead when he made the most of the ball ricocheting into his path with a neat close-range making it 2-0 at the break.

Straight from the kickoff, Casey Paxton won possession and was unlucky not to finish off his run with a goal. Minehead had upped the tempo of the game and were rewarded when Sam Taylor-Pitkin drilled a low effort from the corner of the area past the Watchet keeper making it 3-0.

More Minehead pressure followed with Casey Paxton hitting the bar and Ollie Pravato unlucky to hit the rebound just over and Charlie Bonar also high with his effort from 20 yards.

It was a well-earned goal from Casey Paxton on 49 minutes, latching on to a loose ball in the box and scoring a poacher’s effort from 10 yards out. Minehead continued to dominate, with Watchet able to counter-attack on occasions, but meeting with a resilient Minehead defence, backed up by Harry Milton’s authoritative performance in between the sticks. Theo Arkell hammered a 30 yard effort marginally wide and Reggie High was at full stretch and just unable to latch on to a lovely cross from Casey Paxton, with his effort going wide.

Sam Taylor-Pitkin made it 5-0 with what originally looked like a dangerous cross, but it ended up nestling in the back of the net. Three minutes later, Casey Paxton made it 6-0 with his second of the game with a fine solo effort. Minehead weren’t done yet, Ollie Pravato was again unlucky after some fine running to hit the side netting, before Sam Taylor-Pitkin played a sublime scooped through-ball which carved open the Watchet defence again and was despatched by the excellent Casey Paxton to cap off the day with a hat-trick.

Aaron Parker was deservedly rewarded with the Player of the Match award.

Victory enabled Minehead to stay fifth in the table with only one defeat in seven matches. They also have games in hand on all the teams above them.

North Curry are the current leaders, having won seven of their opening ten matches, drawing one and losing two.

Minehead's next league match is away to Bridgwater VPR Eagles on Sunday, December 1.