MINEHEAD edged a little closer towards the top of the table in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League with the comfortable 5-0 home victory over mid-table Nailsea and Tickenham Reserves, with their supporters witnessing a positive performance against a side who showed up well in the opening twenty-five minutes.

Minehead took the lead after fifteen minutes when Josh Elston found his way through the defence after some quick, incisive Minehead play, and he cleverly chipped the tall keeper from fifteen yards out, despite a desperate attempt by a recovering defender to clear but he could only help the ball into the roof of the net.

Ten minutes later Toby Waghorn was brought down by the keeper, and Stefan Phillips stepped up to shoot firmly to the keepers’ right. Two minutes later there was another spot kick awarded when Sam Heath was fouled as he dribbled into the box. The goalkeeper guessed that Phillips would go the same way, and he was right, but this time the Blues’ captain’s shot was hit with more venom and was higher and out of the keepers’ reach, into the top corner.

At three nil Minehead were obviously well in control, and just before the hour mark Elston scored his second to make it four and just before the hour mark completed an impressive hat-trick, beating a defender and shooting home with his left foot.

At 5-0 Manager Craig Carr Introduced his substitutes for valuable game time and brought off among others, two of the dangermen on the day Waghorn and Elston, who noticeably caused problems to the visitors’ defence, who even at 5-0 down played valiantly on to the end, though tempers on both sides did simmer for a while.

Minehead: Kyran Wilkins, Rob Vickers, Ryan Wilkins, Louis Burge, George Painter, Will Singleton-Voss, Stefan Phillips, Josh Elston, Toby Waghorn, Sam Jackson, Sam HeathSubs: Martyn Phillips, Scott Kivell, Ollie Reaney, Fin Haran (all used). Minehead’s Man of the Match: Josh Elston.

This coming weekend Minehead have no game but will be looking to prepare themselves for the following Saturday’s trip to face first division leaders Congresbury - currently four points ahead but The Blues have played two games fewer.

After Minehead’s run of seven consecutive league victories, which included five away games on the trot, they are playing with real confidence and looking one of the favourites to at least win promotion and join neighbours Watchet Town in the Premier Division.

Meanwhile, Congresbury are three points clear at the top of the table after gaining an impressive 5-0 away victory over Glastonbury in their latest match.

Second-placed Stockwood Green kept in touch with a 3-0 home win over Keynsham Town Reserves.