MINEHEAD Reserves kept in touch with the leaders in Division One of the Taunton Saturday League with a 2-0 home win over second-placed Nether Stowey.

Scott Kivell, Rob Vickers and Fin Landon were always going to be a miss but the Blues were able to welcome back Myles Campbell- Farmer, Josh Heath, Oli Jones and Bart Kubaczewski as strong replacements. Minehead started well with the midfield controlling the game on a bobbly pitch. Captain Dan Vickers was well supported by Heath brothers Josh and Sam and Bart Kubaczewski. Stowey, despite being second, didn’t offer a huge amount going forward with keeper Nat Leader and his defence of Campbell-Farmer, Oli Reaney, Alfie Cotterell and the experienced Andy Gubb coping well with all they had to deal with.

Minehead turned their territorial advantage into success when a superb through ball from Haiden Griffiths found fellow striker Riley Pope who finished really well from 20 yards giving keeper Payne little chance.

However, within a few minutes, Cotterell was adjudged to foul in the box and a penalty was awarded. Despite the Stowey player hitting low to the keeper’s right Leader judged well and pulled off an excellent save. The rest of the half saw much of the same with Jones coming on after 30 minutes to provide fresh legs. While Minehead were very comfortable in the first half it was only 1-0 at the break but after 11 minutes a great run from full back Reaney and good interplay with Kubaczewski saw a fine finish to put the Blues 2-0 ahead. Griffiths hit the post with a good effort and despite the Blues being totally in charge they were unable to increase their advantage.

Both Dan Vickers and Griffiths had chances that they would have found easier to take than miss but both failed to do so. Man of the match: Oli Reaney.

Mark Vickers