MINEHEAD U12 Blues welcomed Combe St Nicholas Raiders at home but defensive mistakes handed Combe victory 2-1.

The Blues started well, despite the uphill slope, moving the ball well and creating chances. An early shot by Minehead midfielder Finley was saved by the Combe keeper, while another by midfielder Leon went just wide.

Combe also created chances, which kept the Minehead keeper Lou on his toes. An early on target shot followed shortly after by a defensive mistake by Minehead, both needing to be saved by Lou.

Many of Minehead’s opportunities were a result of an excellent partnership between midfielders Leon and Finley, and forward George.

In the closing minutes a through run by Finley led to a shot, but he was unable to get any power behind it, leaving the scoregoalless at half time.

After the restart, a defensive mistake by Minehead handed Combe their opening goal. A few minutes laterthere was a similar mistake, which Lou managed to get his hands to, but the ball bounced out for Combe to score and take the score to 2-0.

A good run by Mineheqad defender Reuben all the way down the left wing then a cross into the box came to nothing, and also a strike by Leon hit the post and bounced out.

A breakthrough did eventually come, with forward George receiving the ball in the box and just managing to stretch out a toe to put the ball passed the Combe keeper for 2-1.

In the final moments Minehead threw everything they could at Combe, with a shot on target from George forcing a cracking save from the Combe, while a couple of shots were wide. The final act of the match was a Minehead corner, and despite even Lou joining his fellow players in the box that equalising goal didn’t materialise. Coaches player of the match: Leon.