MINEHEAD have arranged a number of football friendlies before their season gets underway in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League.

They start with a warm-up match at home to Jewson Western League side Street on Saturday, July 4. Only one of the games will be away - against Ilfracombe Town on Tuesday, July 21. It also includes the annual pre-season match against a Minehead Legends XI which is set to be played on Saturday, July 18.

"The aim is to give as many players as possible the chance to show what they can do," said Lee Todd who will be starting his first full season in charge, having taken over from Craig Carr last October.

Todd has also been busy looking to strengthen the team. "I've two new players who have agreed to join us, and I'm waiting on two others," he added.

Minehead's line up of friendlies is: Sat, July 4 home v Street (12.30); Sat, July 11 home v Combe Martin (2.00); Wed, July 15 home v Staplegrove (7.30); Sat, July 18 home v Minehead Legends' XI (3.00); Tues, July 21 away v Ilfracombe Town (7.30); Sat, July 25 home v Wellington (3.00); Wed, July 29 home v Bishops Lydeard (7.30).

Minehead finished tenth in the first division of the county league last season, with lack of consistency being their main problem.

They lost 2-1 away to Clutton in their last match of the season in mid-April, having won 5-0 at home against the same opposition late in November.

Combe St Nicholas were the outstanding side in the division, losing only two matches in winning the title. They finished eight points clear of runners-up Portishead Town Reserves, with Sporting Weston in third spot only one point adrift.

Glastonbury, Bishop Sutton and Keynsham Town Reserves finished in the bottom three.