MINEHEAD’S hopes for their first three points of 2024 in Division One of the Uhlsport Somerset County League received an unexpected jolt when visitors Stockwood Green scored twice in the opening seven minutes.

Goalkeeper Vinnie Jones was in action soon after the kick off, saving a deflected shot at the foot of the post.

However, three minutes later, the fired-up visitors did take the lead when pacy centre forward Lewis Bull opened their account.

A further three minutes later the Bristol side doubled their advantage when Harry Templeman scored from an acute angle.

The Blues gained composure and started to work their way back into a game. On the half hour they were awarded a penalty when teenage centre forward Louis Burge was adjudged to have been impeded in the box. Captain Stefan Phillips scored a penalty kick.

Top scorer Guy Burns attempted an audacious 35-yard volley. With the beaten keeper scurrying back towards his goal the strikers’ attempt went inches the wrong side the goal.

Stockwood made the points safe late in the game when Joe Head scored.

Minehead: Adam ‘Vinnie’ Jones, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Luke Badcock, Mike Graddon, Sam Heath, Stefan Phillips, Matty Ronan, Louis Burge, Guy Burns, Jack Furse. Subs: Hubi Wejnerowski, Lewis Goodrum, Oliver Jones (All Used).