MINEHEAD began preparations for the new season starting on Saturday August 17 with a friendly at home to Midland Combination side Alvechurch.

A useful curtain-raiser for both teams saw Minehead win 2-1 with some attractive football.

Several newcomers got the chance to catch the manager's eye, but the need for a goalscoring striker still appears a concern following last season's campaign.

The visitors had a similar problem - on five occasions from close range they failed to find the net.

There was little to choose between the two teams in the opening 15 minutes, but then Alvechurch took the lead when skipper Paul Smith headed home.

Minehead were only in arrears until the 22nd minute, when Lee Todd outpaced the visitors and crossed for Paul Long who, with a clever side-step, put the ball into the net.

Soon after, Matt Heywood produced a solo burst which caught the visitors off guard but his pass into the goalmouth was wayward.

Minehead had a let-off two minutes before half-time when a prolonged goal-line melee saw the ball hit both their uprights before being scooped away.

In the second half, Neil Watson produced a promising raid after three minutes but the visiting keeper was alert to his shot.

Blues keeper Richard Gannon was called into action after 57 minutes when he saved bravely at the feet of Paul Hibbert, who was clean through after avoiding the offside trap.

Alvechurch squandered two chances before Minehead produced an exciting move which saw three forwards combine and Old's parting shot blocked near the line by a defender.

Minehead took the lead after 65 minutes after Old's run on the right flank left the visiting defence spreadeagled. As the keeper came off his line, Old unselfishly slotted the ball sideways for the unmarked Simon Antonelli to score into an empty net — his first touch after coming on as a sub.

Alvechurch were stung into action by the goal, forcing several corners in quick succession and towards the end they were involved in another lengthy goalmouth melee which saw them hit a post before the ball was scrambled away.

Sam Jordan took over in goal and was on long enough to produce a fine save from Hibbert as Minehead held on to their 2-1 advantage.

Local players involved for Minehead were R Gannon, M Lewis, L Nunn, P Long, S Antonelli, L Todd, N Watson, C Old, C Carr, A Giblett, D Doherty, S Jordan, M Heywood.

l Minehead continue their pre-season friendlies tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain Weston-super-Mare (ko 3 p.m.).

The match will revive memories of encounters when both Weston and Minehead were members of the Western League.

Weston have since moved up to the Dr Marten's League, and this will be the first meeting between the clubs since March 1992.