MINEHEAD beat North Curry 5-1 at home in their very first game in South Division of the Under 12 section in the Somerset Girls Football League.

For some of Blues’ team, this was their first ever competitive game of football. Leading up to the game anticipation and excitement had been building, and as the referee blew for kick-off, what followed was a fantastic advert for girls’ grass roots football — two teams having fun, competing and giving it their all.

Minehead started the brighter, with early chances falling to striker Milly. Powering through the North Curry defence, she was already giving early indications that she would be a threat.

As both teams found their feet, the Minehead backline were given some early tests. Led by skipper Poppy, debutants Dotty and Chloe were finding their feet and executing well.

Then, just as the game was waiting for its first big moment, it was Milly who broke the deadlock, scoring the first ever league goal for The Blues, much to the delight of the Minehead players and supporters.

North Curry responded quickly, with a powerful shot across goal excellently deflected wide by the leg of goalkeeper Mia. A huge round of applause followed for the debutant keeper.

The visitors were now beginning to take advantage of Minehead’s tiring legs, with chances becoming increasingly frequent. Then, on the stroke of half-time, North Curry were rewarded as a ball across the box was tapped home from close range to make it 1–1 at the break.

The second half began with Minehead refreshed following a half-time team talk and a slight formation change. This freed up all-rounder Maja, who was about to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

An early direct run from Evie, winning a corner, led to a fantastic opportunity for Maja to power home from close range — which she did emphatically to make it 2–1 to The Blues.

From this point of the game, Minehead never looked back. Ines was beginning to dominate the midfield, while Darcy was starting to show her quality on the ball with some wonderful passing. Then suddenly Maja decided to embark on a powerful, aggressive and mazy run before smashing home Minehead’s third. This provided breathing space for The Blues, and their tails were well and truly up.

One player who epitomised that energy was Evie. Making her debut, she was making life incredibly difficult for the North Curry defence, constantly chasing, powering past opponents and making purposeful runs. She came agonisingly close on multiple occasions to adding Minehead’s fourth.

The game became scrappy at times, but Poppy, Dotty and Chloe remained alert at the back, thwarting every Curry effort to get back into the game.

The game was finally put to bed with a quick-fire double. First, Ines deservedly got her name on the scoresheet from close range, followed soon after by Maja again, smashing home from the edge of the area to complete her hat-trick in style.

This was the perfect morning for a new group of girls who have their sights set on growing together as a team, learning, developing and, most importantly, giving it their all.

Minehead are one of eight teams competing in South Division, the others being Bishops Lydeard, Bridgwater United, Ahcott, Huish Tivgers, Wells City, North Curry and Wellington Wildcats.