MINEHEAD beat neighbours Porlock 4-1 in a friendly on Tuesday night.

Fielding an experimental line up for the first hour, they fell behind when Adam Langdon pounced on a loose ball to prod home from close range.

It remained 1-0 at half-time, but after the break the Blues got back on level terms when Mike Graddon burst through and, after recovering when appearing to stumble, slotted home past exposed keeper Lee Knowles.

Two double substitutions then changed the game as Minehead brought on experienced heads in Cracknell, Burns, Furse and Green, and within seconds a defence-splitting move resulted in Furse putting the Blues 2-1 ahead.

A further double substitution meant more fresh legs running freely at the visitors’ defence, but Minehead needed a fine last-ditch challenge from defender Stephen Lynch to keep out the lively Langdon.

The Blues were soon on the offensive again and a crashing shot from Cracknell was superbly tipped over by Knowles.

Sandwiched between two more home substitutions was another fine save from Knowles to keep out a Furse free-kick, but Burns reacted quickly to tuck away the keepers’ parry and make it 3-1.

Another Cracknell drive was again tipped over by the overworked keeper, who then produced an equally impressive block to thwart Burns.

Furse then thought he had scored the goal of the game when his chip from 45 yards into an empty net hit the underside of the bar but it was deemed to have not crossed the line before being cleared.

Knowles then got his finger tips to Newbold’s close-range effort before last season’s top scorer Burns completed the scoring with his disguised shot beat Knowles at his near post.

Minehead: K Wilkins, R Wilkins, G Hodgson, S Lynch, A Gubb, M Graddon, D Sherring, H Scatchard, M Phillips, F Ndiomo, M Bailey, subs M Cracknell, D Green, G Burns, J Furse, M Rowan, C Newbold, C Thomas, J Aspey (all used).

l In a previous match, Minehead drew 1-1 at home to Staplegrove, who are now playing at a higher level than the Blues and have picked up some useful signings with experience in the Western and Southern Leagues.

Minehead started the game with far more purpose than their opponents and it was almost a quarter of an hour before keeper Kyran Wilkins had his first touch of the ball.

With Minehead piling on the pressure, a blistering 30-yard drive from Mike Graddon went just wide, then on 18 minutes the Blues took the lead when Damion Redman twisted past two defenders and slotted home.

They created a host of other chances before the break, and were left to regret missing them when Staplegrove netted an on 88 minutes.

l The Blues face former Western League foes Ilfracombe Town tomorrow (Saturday) at 3pm.

Like their hosts, the Bluebirds now find themselves several divisions lower than a few seasons ago.

The County League season then starts with a home game against Combe St Nicholas next Saturday at 3pm.