MINEHEAD Reserves are off the mark at last in the Premier Division of the Taunton Saturday League, beating Staplegrove Reserves 2-1 at home.

Having bean knocked out of the Rowbarton Cup the previous Wednesday by Wembdon at the quarter final stage 2-0, Minehead still approached this game in a positive frame of Minehead.

Their football has deserved much better results this season and losing four weeks ago to Staplegrove by the odd goal was encouraging going into this game.

With an average age of 21 Minehead started well and played the ball around really well, keeping possession and moving the ball through the midfield whenever possible. The defence of Charlie Disney, JJ Knight, Myles Campbell-Farmer and new signing Harvey Henderson looked comfortable on the ball and started most of the forward movement.

Matty Trump, playing in only his second game of the season, looked dangerous in a free role behind striker Scott Kivell. However despite 70% possession the shots on the visitors goal remained largely at long range and players seemed inches away from getting the final touch from crosses.

Half time arrived with the score at 0-0 but Minehead came out with more determination to get into their opponents penalty area and in only the 3rd minute some good work by Disney and substitute Riley Pope resulted in the ball arriving at the feet of Dan Vickers who calmly slotted home from 7 yards for his 6th of the season.

The midfield of Vickers and teenagers Oli Reaney, Sam Jackson and Oli Hall had controlled the first half with flowing football and they continued with this helped by substitute Bart Kubaczewski into the second half, albeit Grove stepped up their game. Against the run of play the visitors equalised in the 67th minute and it looked like another frustrating afternoon.

Keeper Robbie Hamblin pulled off some exceptional saves during the game. With Vickers having another good chance and Trump remaining dangerous it was the athletic Disney, on one of his long rangy runs, that saw a powerful shot from outside the box take a small deflection and sail into the Grove goal with 10 minutes remaining.

A tense last 10 minutes saw the Blues work hard on a heavy pitch and the whistle finally went after Knight headed clear a free kick with a few seconds remaining.

Finally, 3 points for the Blues to the relief of all concerned and they go into their away match with Wyvern this week in a confident mood. Man of the match: Dan Vickers

Team:- Robbie Hamblin, Charlie Disney, Myles Campbell-Farmer, JJ Knight, Harvey Henderson, Oli Reaney, Sam Jackson, Dan Vickers, Oli Hall, Matt Trump, Scott Kivell. Substitutes:- Rliely Pope, Bart Kubaczewski, Jacob Worrall (all used).