MINEHEAD Blues went down narrowly 3-2 - to a late goal - at home to Bishops Lydeard Mixed Panthers in Division Two of the Under 12 section in the Taunton & District Youth Football League.

Lydeard started well and outpaced Minehead during the early minutes of the match, despite Minehead having the slope of the pitch in their favour. An excellent strike from just outside the box gave Bishops Lydeard the lead just 12 minutes into the match. Shortly after, a well placed through ball by one of the Bishops Lydeard midfielders found the forward, who dribbled around the Minehead goalie to take the score to 2-0.

However, Minehead re-grouped and three minutes later midfielder Leon struck the ball beautifully from well outside the box, placing the ball in the top left corner of the goal. This goal helped swing the balance back into Minehead’s favour ready for the second half.

Minehead started the second half confidently, with George working hard on the left wing, good footwork through the midfield by Riley, and another close miss from Leon. A second goal was already on the cards and it came from a Riley/Oaklen partnership. Midfielder Riley dribbled the ball up the right wing before finding forward Oaklen who took the ball around the Bishops Lydeard keeper for 2-2.

In the closing minutes Minehead were put back under heavy pressure by Lydeard, and despite stoic defence from Buddy and Jack, the visitors managed to find a final goal to seal the win.

Despite the loss for Minehead this game will be up there among their best nine a side performances to date. A game well played, and something demonstrated by the number of ‘Players of the Match’ awards handed out. Final score: Minehead 2 – 3 Bishops Lydeard.

Parents players of the match: Leon, Fin, Riley and Buddy. Coaches players of the match; George, Jack and Oaklen.