THE RAIN held off when Minehead entertained Bridgwater VPR, but there was certainly a deluge of goals as the hosts ran out 20-1 winners and three players notched up hat-tricks In Division Two of the Under 14 section in the Taunton & District Youth Football League.

Minehead have now won their opening three matches and are lying second in the table.

Minehead signalled their intent when when Rio Davies’ cross from the right crept into the net, soon after which a neat finish saw him double his tally.

On nine minutes Sam Taylor-Pitkin chipped through the ball to Jacob Fouracre who made it 3-0. A minute later Jacob won the ball and ran through the defence before making it 4-0.

Next up it was Casey Paxton, who made no mistake and slotted away from close range to make it 5-0. Sixteen minutes gone and Rio landed the first hat-trick of the game with a fine header from Charlie Bonar’s corner.

Against the run of play VPR broke free and netted a good effort to make it 6-1. Minehead were soon back on the attack when Reggie High netted his first of the game. Next up was a goal from Sam Taylor-Pitkin to make it 8-1. With half time in sight Zak Goswell scored from a rebound before Casey Paxton scored his second to make it 10-1 at the interval.

Minehead came out determined to keep up the pressure and Zak Goswell was the first to add to his goal count, soon after which he made it a hat -trick. Jacob Fouracre scored his third hat-trick in as many games to make it 13-1, and Rio Davies wasn’t finished yet and scored his fourth to make it 14-1.

Jacob Fouracre scored his fourth goal of the game with a half-volley following some scrappy defending for 15-1. Reggie High’s mazy dribble into the box was rewarded with a goal to make it 16-1.

Casey Paxton then scored his well-deserved hat-trick to make it 17-1 with four players now having scored hat-tricks for Minehead. Jacob Fouracre scored his fifth, before Aaron Parker got his reward for a hard-working performance and finally, in the 70th minute, Reggie High completed his hat-trick to make it 20-1.

In a match where the attackers took the plaudits the foundations were built upon solid work and discipline of the back three of Theo Arkell, Ethan Coburn and Ollie Tisbury, with Minehead’s Keeper Ewan Stitt making some fine stops and coming off his line well to deal with any trouble that came his way. Minehead’s subs Ollie Provato and McKenzie Wrightson performed their tasks well when they came on to ensure no drop in quality.