MINEHEAD got off to a winning start under new manager Andy Hodgson as they prepared for the new season with a friendly at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.
With a new-look, mainly locally based team, the Blues dominated the early play with the speedy Shaun Kenny looking particularly dangerous in attack.
In defence, evergreen Dave Burr, together with last season's team-mates Andy Reader and Shane Porter and newcomer Lee Nunn, looked sound and Adrian Cheek made a competent debut in goal, bringing off a spectacular save during the first half when he turned a temendous shot from Steve Burns over the bar.
With Gareth Morgan and Craig Carr controlling midfield, Minehead quickly took control and after several opportunities opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Lee Todd beat the Ilfracombe keeper in a race for a long through ball from Nunn and slotted the ball home.
With both teams having made several substitutions, Ilfracombe came more into the game after the interval and in the 57th minute Steve Burns equalised when he cleverly floated the ball over the stranded Cheek from 35 yards out.
It appeared that the more experienced visitors might take control of the game but Minehead fought back and when the Ilfracombe keeper failed to cut out a cross, Morgan restored the lead with a close-range header after 66 minutes.
Pressing for the equaliser, Ilfracombe were unlucky when they hit the upright for the second time in the game, but the home team held out for a fine 2-1 win which should give them much confidence for the coming season.
Minehead: A Cheek, A Reader, G Morgan, D Burr, S Perkins, C Carr, S Kenny, S Porter, L Todd, L Nunn, N Wyborn, subs N Gage, A Elston, R Lobb, A Hodgson.
l The Recreation Ground tomorrow (Saturday) sees a double-bill of friendly matches, when at 2 pm Watchet Town play Gloucester City Reserves and at 4.30 pm Minehead take on Gloucester City.