TWO SECOND half goals enabled Minehead to chalk up a 2-0 home win over Glastonbury and put their first three points on the board in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League last Saturday.

Forcing three corners in the opening three minutes, Minehead started on the front foot and their free running twin strikers broke through the visitors' defence during a particularly positive start, with Leon Lofts going closest to opening the scoring with a firm shot which was well saved by Glastonbury's keeper Gareth Lamb.

A positive spell from the visitors then gave Minehead's defence something to think about, without really testing their experienced custodian Kyran Wilkins.

Following 15 minutes of good pressure on The 'Dollies' goal Lofts' well struck curler from five yards or so outside the edge of the box, appeared to have Lamb beaten but went literally inches over the apex of the post and crossbar.

Both teams were attacking whenever possible but were also guilty of regular unforced efforts when not under pressure, which started to give the game a fragmented look.

Rob Vickers' 25-yard effort was another attempt thwarted by Lamb who was becoming the busier of the two keepers, shortly followed by another good effort from the same sort of distance from Josh Elston, followed by another positive half-valley from just outside the box by one of this season's impressive teenagers Will Singleton-Voss.

Not to be outdone, Glastonbury responded with a shot which Kyran Wilkins needed to tip over the bar at full stretch, and from the corner another opening went begging for The Dollies.

Early in the second half, with Minehead starting to dictate the play, Sam Heath got through the defensive lines but saw his chip saved by Lamb; then shortly afterwards a powerful shot form full back Bertie Harvey-Lamar came back off the foot of the post.

Glastonbury's response was a long free kick which nearly caught Minehead out, but just before the hour mark The Blues deservedly edged ahead with a well-placed 25 yard shot from Rob Vickers.

Shortly afterwards Minehead introduced Sam Jackson from the bench and moments after the substitution, captain for the day Ryan Wilkins came to his side's rescue with a perfectly-timed last-ditch challenge inside the box.

With both sides bringing on substitutes play again became a little disjointed for a short while but it was one such introduction from the bench Martyn Phillips who then put the game beyond Glastonbury with a gap-in after Minehead had won the ball back inside the penalty box after a positive move had appeared to be fruitless.

Lofts, who finished the game looking as energetic as he had started, had another good effort before the final whistle.

BRIAN WALDER