MINEHEAD's programme of pre-season matches continued on Saturday with a 5-1 defeat away to Clevedon United from the Somerset County League.

The home side handed out a lesson to the Western League outfit, although the scoreline flattered them, with little to choose between the sides until mid-way through the second half when Minehead's defence caved in.

The highlight of the match was the goal-scoring of Graham Cheesman, who netted four of Clevedon's goals, and such a scorer must be on Minehead's shopping list for the coming season.

The Blues took the lead inside two minutes from their first serious raid. The ball was worked across from the left flank to Simon Antonelli, who carved out a good angle before switching the ball unselfishly across the penalty area for Steve Perkins to score.

However, the lead only lasted for four minutes as, from a corner, the ball was nodded on for Cheesman to head home.

A header from Matty White went close to giving the home side the lead after 13 minutes, while both teams had chances from free kicks, Minehead's being blocked by the wall and the home side's going inches wide of the far post.

Minehead's triallist goalkeeper Chris Meredith gave a good account of himself with confident handling and some inspired saves as half-time arrived with no more goals.

The second half began with Minehead claiming a corner which the tall home defence got away from danger, then Clevedon won two free kicks, one a hotly contested indirect free-kick inside the six-yard after 58 minutes.

With all the Minehead players packed on the goal-line and both sets of players seeking to gain advantage, the ball was touched off for Cheesman to score with a fierce drive which Meredith had no chance of saving.

Perkins almost scored for the Blues when his run took him into a good shooting position but he was dispossessed at the last second.

Clevedon were increasingly imposing themselves on the game and Meredith made several fine saves before Damian Thorne slammed a free kick against the bar and, with the ball only partially cleared, Cheesman put Mike Nash through to score past the advancing keeper.

Five minutes from time Cheesman's shot on the turn was angled away from the Minehead keeper's reach to make it 4-1, and the nap hand for Clevedon was completed in the 90th minute when the striker scored his fourth goal of the day.

Minehead (players used): C Meredith, L Nunn, M Lewis, N Giblett, M Haywood, M Musgrove, D Burr, P Long, S Antonelli, M Musgrove, S Perkins, C Carr, W Giblett, M Antonelli, N Watson.

l Tomorrrow (Saturday) Minehead complete their pre-season friendlies with a trip to Gloucester United, who they will be meeting for the first time. Kick-off is 3pm.

Manager Andy Hodgson expects to have a full sqaud to select from and will be hoping for a change of fortune ahead of the opening league match next Saturday, away to Torrington.