MINEHEAD slumped to a 5-2 defeat against Winscombe in the first round of the Uhlsport Premier and First Division Cup at The Irnham Road Recreation Ground, writes Brian Walder.

The Blues nearly took the lead in the first minute when Adam Jeffries tested the visiting keeper, whose save was unorthodox but effective.

With Minehead short of a goalkeeper on the day due to the regular shot-stoppers within the club either being injured or unavailable, Minehead manager Lee Todd managed to obtain the services of former long term Watchet Town central defender or striker Darren Sherring, who is also a useful goalkeeper.

He had played 55 times for Minehead between 2017 and 2020, and though most of his appearances were as an outfield player, he had also played in goal for The Blues on six previous occasions. He certainly played a big part on this occasion as he was by far the busiest of the two keepers on the pitch.

Sherring, who now plays for Porlock, who were thankfully without a game, was involved from the second minute of play, making a very competent save from a powerful shot.

After a Minehead corner, an even, tit for tat opening continued until Winscombe forced a corner, from which they managed to edge ahead through a strong header from Robbie Macks.

Minehead’s next attack saw some well-worked link-up play featuring firstly Mike Graddon and Olly Prescott, whose pass allowed Will Singleton-Voss to drive forward positively, but his well struck shot from an acute angle hit the foot of the post before going into the side-netting.

Minehead’s play soon started to become ragged with loose passes, and their lack of good possession started to become their downfall. It was not long before the visitors doubled their advantage when Macks shot home after good movement and slicker passing had enabled a route through the home rearguard.

With Winscombe generally bossing the midfield they were establishing a strong foothold on play, and they went close when a left footed piledriver slammed into the bar, and went over for a goal kick.

Singleton-Voss, an important player in the home midfield, was forced off by injury, with Graddon now taking the captain’s arm band, and on thirty-five minutes the home deficit became three when Jay Bryant scored for the visitors, with the score remaining at 0-3 when the half time whistle sounded.

Early in the second half Minehead lost their most experienced defender Mike Graddon to injury, being replaced by Charlie Disney from the bench as the home back four re-structured. Will Voss, who picked up an injury early in the second half was then unable to continue, and Minehead’s last substitute, team coach Lee Hardick, came on in midfield, with James Knight now taking the captain’s armband.

Minehead found a little respite when a free kick was tapped to Olly Prescott, enabling him to shoot directly home, but Bryant soon restored the visitors’ four goal advantage at 1-5 and with five minutes remaining, a needlessly given away penalty for a foul on Prescott resulted in the Minehead striker reducing the deficit to three goals from the spot.

Minehead: Darren Sherring, James Knight, Mike Graddon, Louis Burge, Luke Badcock,Sam Jackson,Olly Prescott, Adam Jefferies, Cam March, Will Singleton-Voss, Toby Waghorn Subs: Charlie Disney, Lee Hardick, Harvey Lovell, Bertie Harvey-Larmar(All Used) Man of the Match: Olly Prescott