MINEHEAD completed a pre-season double over Bishops Lydeard, beating the Taunton side 3-2 at home, having won narrowly at Lydeard early in July.

Minehead boss Craig Carr would have been particularly pleased with the way his squad of potential players managed to defeat the South West Peninsula outfit in another entertaining and competitive match.

After ten minutes George Sinnott fired Minehead into the lead with a perfect left-footed shot, which gave the visiting keeper very little chance of saving. Centre forward Chris Barrett came close to doubling the Blues’ advantage just eight minutes later when his header was tipped over the bar by the busier of the two keepers.

The hosts generally held the upper hand throughout the game, apart from a 15-minute spell at the start of the second half when Lydeard seemed to find some urgency, scoring two quick goals to put them into the lead.

Barrett was then inches away from an equaliser as Minehead regained their edge, shortly followed by a powerful effort from a Stefan Phillips pass that went a foot or so wide. It was Phillips with a trademark free-kick, placed perfectly into the corner, which soon afterwards restored the equilibrium.

Substitute Ollie Prescott scored the fifth goal of the game, which turned out to be the winner for the Blues, with another sweet strike, this time from 15 yards out.

Minehead players used: Greg Turner, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Toby Morris, George Painter, Stefan Phillips, George Sinnott, Will Singleton-Voss, Lee Smyth, Chris Barrett, Toby Wagborn, Sam Jackson. Rolling subs: Sam Jackson, Fin Landon, Dan Vickers, Michael Neild, James Knight.

Meanwhile, Minehead begin their season in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County League on Saturday, August 9, when they travel to the north of the county to play Winscombe. Their first home game is the following Saturday - against Peasedown Miners Welfare (3p.m.).