MINEHEAD were held to a 1-1 home draw by Burnham United in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League on Wednesday night, writes Brian Walder. Reserve team keeper Nat Leader was called upon to don the gloves, and he didn’t let the side down, dealing with Burnham’s attempts competently.

Minehead almost took the lead in their first attack when a Toby Morris volley at the far post was well saved by the Burnham keeper at almost point-blank range. The opening goal of the game was not far away, however, which came from Cam March, making his first senior league start, shooting home from Toby Waghorn’s pass from eight yards out.

The goal sprung Burnham into a quick response and just three minutes later centre forward Curtis Bradshaw levelled the score, scoring from a similar distance.

After virtually the next Minehead attack had been foiled by a goal-line clearance, Burnham almost edged in front with a close-range header which was blocked on the goal line, and shortly afterwards Minehead’s fortunes favoured them when a dangerous shot from an acute angle came back off the cross-bar.

The early goalmouth action seemed to diminish somewhat after the opening twenty minutes with most of the play in midfield, with neither side creating any blatant clear-cut chances or getting in behind their opponents’ defence with any regularity.

Blues manager Lee Todd gave all his substitutes game time during the second half while trying to find a way to win, but Burnham were sturdy opponents, who like Minehead, will be looking for a top six finish if previous seasons are anything to go by.

Minehead: Nat Leader, James Knight, Louis Burge, Mike Graddon, Cullen Bruford, Sam Heath, Toby Morris, Sam Jackson, Cam March, Will Singleton-Voss, Toby Waghorn. Subs: Adam Jeffries, Nathan Collins, Josh Heath, Luke Badcock (all used) Man of the Match: Mike Graddon