MINEHEAD recovered well after going a goal down early on in the first half to keep their promotion aspirations alive with a 3-1 home win over Peasedown Miners Welfare in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League.

Peasedown made their presence felt in only the second minute of the game when a strong challenge by Liam Watson earned him a yellow card and though play was relatively even they edged ahead after 20 minutes when Blues keeper Kyran Wilkins palmed a strong shot down which fell straight to Joe Gurner who opened the scoring, side-footing home from eight yards.

The scores were levelled ten minutes before the break by Josh Elston, who was slotted in by captain Stefan Phillips who had made an incisive run into the box, jinking around two challenges from defenders.

Centre forward Carl Heath, playing in front of the home fans for the first time as a MInehead player, went close when he was found well by Minehead’s Man of the Match Sam Heath, but his effort found the side netting. Then an Ian Bellinger shot from close to 30 yards out was tipped over by visiting goalkeeper Chris Allard.

Early in the second half, Minehead boss Craig Carr introduced fresh legs in Matt Trump and Bertie Harvey-Larmar as Minehead started to become the more dominant side. The referee waved away Minehead’s appeals when a quite noticeable handball inside the box as a Peasedown defender’s controlling of the ball included him using his elbow. However, Minehead continued to push forward and on the hour mark they edged ahead when the in-form Will Singleton-Voss finished well after he beat a defender.

Within three minutes of substitute Guy Burns’ introduction, Ian Belinger finished clinically from George Painter’s well-placed centre. For the remaining 25 minuties, though, Peasedown had their moments. Minehead looked the more likely to add to the scoring but though both side’s entertained the crowd with end-to-end action, no further goals were scored.

Minehead, therefore, claimed their first win in six games and rise back up the division to fourth spot, with games in hand on second and third-placed Ashton & Backwell and Wrington Redhill.

Minehead: Kyran Wilkins, Sam Heath, Toby Morris, Louis Burge, George Painter, Will Singleton-Voss, Stefan Phillips, Josh Elston, Carl Jones, Ian Bellinger, Toby Waghorn. Subs: Guy Burns, Matt Trump, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Olly Hall (all used). Man of the Match: Sam Heath.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, February 8, Minehead face Clutton at The Rec who, like Peasedown, have a history of competing against MInehead more than a century ago. Clutton are currently in a mid-table position, so The Blues will be looking for three points to maintain the challenge near the top.

Elsewhere, Congresbury maintained their position at the top of the first division with a 2-1 away success against Nailsea & Tickenham Reserves.

They have a three-point lead over second-placed Ashton & Backwell United who stormed to a 5-1 away win over Saltford who are bottom of the table with only two wins in 21 matches.

It was a good day for away sides with Westfield winning 5-2 against Imperial and Stockwood Green getting the better of Keynsham Town Reserves 2-1.

Wrington Redhill, who did not play, slipped back to third spot.

BRIAN WALDER