MINEHEAD are through to the second round of the Somerset Senior Cup after gaining a 2-0 away win over Street Reserves, writes Brian Walder. Minehead, who first played on Street’s Western League ground The Tannery in 1992, put in a good performance to beat their opponents who play in the second division of the County League.

The visitors started on the front foot, seeming to have a slight edge over their hosts, and Toby Waghorn opened the scoring after nine minutes, burying a perfect through ball beyond Street keeper Licio Turner’s reach.

It was Minehead’s top scorer Waghorn who continued to be a thorn in the home defence, and Olly Prescott was then a large part of a flowing move which almost brought a second, but Will Singleton-Voss’s attempt went narrowly over the bar.

Next to break “The Cobblers” rearguard was midfield playmaker Lewis Smith, but his fierce shot was within Turner’s reach.

Injury then caused The Blues to substitute right back Harvey Lovell, with substitute Bertie Harvey-Larmar, who was well accustomed to the position, but by now Street’s young and well drilled side were gaining more of a foothold on proceedings, and the share of possession had largely evened out. The last real action of an entertaining first half again featured Waghorn though, whose shot was saved at the second attempt by Turner.

After the break Street came back strongly and it became fairly obvious that the next goal was going to have a big effect on which side progressed to the next round – another from Minehead would likely settle the tie, but if The Cobblers’ youngsters were to equalise, they could have gained the impetus.

After an attack which resulted in Minehead’s Prescott cutting in from a wide position and shooting fiercely at goal, but maybe a foot or so too high, the visitors then enjoyed a period of attacking until a well-placed header from Sam Jackson gave the visitors proper breathing space at two-nil.

But the game was far from over and for the final twenty minutes of the game The Blues had a fight on their hands with Street going all out. Minehead managed to soak up the pressure well, and were still dangerous from breakaways, and two particular efforts which Adam Jefferies was unlucky not to further add to the lead.

Minehead: Carl Paige, Harvey Lovell, Cullen Bruford, Louis Burge, James Knight, Lewis Smith, Olly Prescott, Adam Jefferies, Sam Jackson, Will Singleton-Voss, Toby Waghorn. Substitutes: Cam March, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Mike Graddon (All Used). Man of the Match: Toby Waghorn

Minehead currently have no match scheduled for Saturday, October 10, but return to Somerset County League action on October 17, when they entertain Bristol based Imperial, who currently occupy fifth position in the table. Minehead, by contrast, are fourteenth out of sixteen, so the highest of the three relegation positions.

Manager Lee Todd will want them to start gaining points sooner rather than later, to avoid the end of the season becoming a lottery. Other clubs, who currently look likeliest, based on their current positions, to feature in the relegation rat-race, include Isle of Wedmore, St George Easton in Gordano, Worle, Nailsea United and Minehead’s local neighbours Watchet Town.

It is however, incredibly early to be talking about such a topic.