A LARGE crowd at Irnham Road watched relegated Minehead fail to start their first season in Division One West of the Somerset County League as they hoped, losing 3-0 at home to Combe St Nicholas.

After an even start with neither goal-keeper being overworked, the home side’s playmaker Jack Furse went closest to breaking the stalemate with a drive from 25 yards which came back off the inside of the post, a team-mate’s follow-up being cleared to safety.

At the other end, a flurry of goalmouth action saw a point-blank parry from Kyran Wilkins keep out Rich Hebditch’s effort, then a heroic block by defender Danny Wilson somehow kept out the follow-up.

After a goalless first half, three goals in quick succession early in the second half completely changed the game, with Minehead’s defence looking disjointed.

The visitors went ahead from a penalty, awarded for a challenge by Stephen Lynch, slotted home by Luke Finn, then made it 2-0 with an impressive finish by Hebditch after Wilson had been forced to challenge a more central striker and leave the diminutive striker alone at the far post.

Shortly afterwards, Hebditch ran around the Minehead backline and supplied Joe Simmonds with a half-chance which he struck home through a group of defenders from 12 yards.

Minehead had their chances, with captain Matt Cracknell going close and Harry Scatchard shooting over the bar after racing through the visiting defence, but the deficit never really look like being reduced.

With three players showing their frustration and receiving bookings, the Blues have now been well beaten in two consecutive home games after their pre-season had started well, and they will quickly want to put this result behind them.

The Gerry Hatrick man of the match was Matt Cracknell.

Minehead: K Wilkins, S Lynch, R Wilkins, D Wilson, D Sherring, M Graddon, C Newbold, H Scatchard, D Redman, J Furse, M Cracknell, subs M Phillips (used), F Ndiomo, D Green, M Bailey (not used).

l Minehead’s fixture for tomorrow (Saturday) has been cancelled because Langford Rovers 2000 have pulled out of the league, but Minehead Reserves have a home friendly against the newly formed Butlins FC at the Recreation Ground, kicking off at 3pm.