MINEHEAD went down to their second successive defeat when they lost 3-2 away to Burnham United in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League.

Making their shortest away trip of the season, Minehead competed well, albeit having a weakened team, against a good side, who have an all-important, prolific goal scorer in their ranks.

After an even first twenty minutes it was Burnham’s star striker and captain Curtis Bradshaw, who opened the scoring by heading home convincingly after a corner had been nodded in his general direction by a team-mate, guiding the ball expertly passed Greg Turner.

But Minehead were not prepared to lie down, and within ten minutes they were deservedly back on terms when Guy Burns’ slide rule pass found Ollie Prescott in enough space to beat the keeper competently with a right-footed shot.

Ten minutes from the break, Ollie Hall’s perfect cross was headed home by the growing in confidence Ollie Morris as Minehead started to gain good momentum. It could easily have been three shortly afterwards, but Guy Burns’ powerful half-volley went just over the bar with Frazer McDiarmid in the Burnham goal looking beaten.

Having weathered Minehead’s good spell, the hosts then forced play for a while. After Ollie Morris was booked tugging a player back, The Blues seemed incensed and lost some composure, and not long afterwards Andy Hall was booked for a late challenge. The hosts pushed harder and were soon level, Dylan Bitton scoring at the far post.

Craig Carr then replaced one resurgent club veteran for another, with Luke Bloys replacing Andy Hall, but the hosts could smell more points, and it took a good save from Turner to keep out a cross shot.

Dangerman Bradshaw was then booked for a rash challenge on Bloys, and with ten minutes remaining it was substitute Leo Janes’ volley at the far post which won the game.

It was an entertaining game in the Somerset sunshine, but unfortunately there was no reward for Minehead whose only victory so far this season was on the opening day when they won 2- away to Winscombe who have since won their only other match 2-1 at home against Sporting Weston.

Minehead: Greg Turner, JJ Knight, Miles Campbell-Farmer, Andy Hall, Stefan Phillips, Toby Morris, Ollie Morris, Sam Jackson, Ollie Hall, Olly PrescottSubs: Jack Campbell-Farmer, Harvey Lovell, Luke Bloys, Felix Faun (all used). Man of the Match: Ollie Morris .

Meanwhile Peasedown Miners Welfare, who won at Minehead the previous weekend, are the early leaders of the first division. They have opened up a three-point lead at the top of the table after winning their opening three fixtures, the latest being a 1-0 home success against Westfield. They play away to Portishead Town Reserves, who have won their first two matches, this coming weekend.

Minehead will be looking to get back on the winning trail when they play away to Ashcott, who are lying second and unbeaten, having won two of their opening three matches and drawn the other. It will undoubtedly be another difficult away game for Carr’s side.

Fixtures in the first division for Saturday, August 30: Ashcott v Minehead, Bishop Sutton v Winscombe, Combe St Nicholas v Burnham United, Glastonbury v Sporting Weston, Imperial v Wrington Redhill, Portishead Town Reserves v Peasedown Miners Welfare, Westfield v Clutton.