THE honours were shared when Staplegrove came to Minehead in a pulsating match that could easily have gone either way, with the sides playing out a 3-3 draw in Division Two of the Under 14 section in the Taunton & District Youth Football League.

After suffering their first defeat of the season the previous weekend, Minehead laid down an early marker with some good attacking pressure, and took the lead on five minutes when Casey Paxton scored.

At other end Staplegrove were beginning to find their rhythm and their pressure told in the end when they scored through a penalty.

Minehead galvanised themselves and on 25 minutes took the lead when Jacob Fouracre’s lovely, chipped effort from the corner of the 18-yard box beat the keeper to make it 2-1.Staplegrove counter attacked and won a corner from which they levelled to make it 2-2 at the break.

The visitors started the second half the stronger, and on 41 minutes, they took the lead with a close-range shot. Staplegrove had their tails up and Minehead defended desperately at times, and stoutly at others.

Reggie High was looking the most threatening and gradually Minehead weathered the Staplegrove storm. Minehead deserved their fortuitous equaliser in the 55th minute, as the Staplegrove keeper fumbled, what had looked like, a good save from Casey Paxton in to his own net. 

Although the goal may have been fortunate, no one could argue that it wasn’t deserved. The momentum had swung firmly back into Minehead’s favour. Reggie High continued to look dangerous, beating his man and getting to the by-line on a couple of occasions. He won a free kick on 58 minutes which fizzed across the face of goal.

Two minutes later, Jacob won the ball high up the pitch, which allowed Minehead to get a shot away, going wide, but kept in play well by Casey, but Staplegrove held firm and dealt with the danger.

A few minutes later, Minehead had the chance to take the lead when they won a penalty of their own, following a Staplegrove handball in the area. Unfortunately, Jacob was unable to convert it this time and Staplegrove breathed a sigh of relief.

The remaining ten minutes was nearly all Minehead pressure with both teams giving it their all, providing great entertainment and spirit. Casey Paxton almost won it at the death by using a great piece of improvisation to latch on to a tidy cross from Aaron, but the Staplegrove ‘keeper held the ball firm.

The final result was 3-3, and neither team can be too unhappy with that, as they both, at times, played great football and, at times, rode their luck. The Player of the Match was awarded to Casey Paxton.