MINEHEAD will be able to choose from a full strength squad for tomorrow’s away match against Chilcompton Sports in the semi-finals of the Uhlsport Somerset County League’s Premier and Division One Cup.

“I think this will be the first time I’ve been able to do this since the start of the season,” said Minehead manager Avril Cooke.

“We will also go into the tie with confidence, having won last weekend against Somerton Town, one of the top sides in the first division.

Minehead’s 1-0 home victory over Somerton enabled Minehead to return to the top of the table, although title rivals Timsbury Athletic and Wells City Reserves both have games in hand.

“I think we were much more relaxed against Somerton compared to some of our games since Christmas,” added Cooke. “ There’s a certain amount of pressure on you when you are top of the table.

“We must learn to concentrate on just one match at a time. We may find that we may lose our place on top of the division after this weekend because we’re playing in the cup.

“We could go down to third but there is plenty of time left to the season. Since Christmas we’ve also had four cases of Covid which has also affected selection.”

Minehead’s squad will be strengthened by the return of Tiago Alipio who has been sidelined since before Christmas with a dislocated shoulder which has taken longer than expected to get better.

Meanwhile, Watchet Town will be looking to bounce back after their 1-0 loss away to fellow strugglers Stockwood Green last Saturday when they play at home to Keynsham Town Reserves in the Premier Division tomorrow.

It was a result which means Watchet have now slipped to second from bottom in the table although they still have games in hand.

Unfortunately they had Aerron Clausen sent off against Stockwood for alleged foul and abusive language and he automatically misses tomorrow’s game through suspension.

Watchet’s main problem this season has been the inability to field a settled side which has undoubtedly affected performances.