MINEHEAD'S Somerset County League Division One opener for the 2026/27 season saw them face an Isle of Wedmore side, who were appearing at The Rec for the first time - and the result was a 1-0 win for the seasiders, writes Brian Walder.

With the visitors having won back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons, the Blues manager Lee Todd knew that his side would have to hit the ground running to manage any sort of result and a three-figure crowd had gathered in the West Somerset sunshine to watch the opening league game.

Cam March, a regular goalscorer for Minehead’s Taunton and District League teams in previous seasons, had impressed the manager in friendlies, and was picked to start for the senior XI for the first time. Available to Todd from the bench was another new signing, Lewis Smith. As a sixteen-year-old, Smith scored the winning goal for Taunton Town in a Southern League Cup match against Bideford at Wordsworth Drive, at the start of the 21-22 season. Smith was introduced from The Blues bench after half time and showed that he will be a good addition to The Blues’ squad.

Minehead wasted no time in getting into their stride, and after four minutes, last season’s dependable top scorer Toby Waghorn’s snapshot from eight yards was partially blocked by visiting keeper Tom Starks’ diving body. Recovering, the keeper tried to prevent the ball from trickling over the line, but his desperate action merely pushed the ball further into the goal to give Minehead the lead.

The Isle of Wedmore were nearly back on terms a few moments later, when a quick break ended with an opportunity for last seasons’ top scorer Toby Jones. However, the strikers’ effort with only home keeper Carl Paige to beat, was straight at the approaching custodian, who made a comfortable enough save.

The visitors were intent on levelling, and the combination of Jones and strike partner Olli Sealey looked menacing, but Minehead were also going forwards with purpose, and a Cam March effort produced a notable save from opposing keeper Tom Stalls.

With the game flowing from end to end it was Minehead’s Waghorn that caused the next incident. However, after he was denied a shooting opportunity by what looked like an obvious handball by a defender, the referee waved away Minehead’s confident appeals.

Early in the second half Minehead were aggrieved again when strong appeals for a penalty for handball were waved away by the official.

Midway through the second half the Isle of Wedmore had a golden chance to level the scores from a penalty kick, but a superb double save from Paige, which saw him parry the spot kick then block a goal bound second attempt, keeping The Blues in front.

With Minehead being more under the cosh as the game went on, defender Bertie Harvey-Larmar replaced midfielder Will Singleton-Voss, as the hosts fought to hold on to their lead.

Towards the end of the ninety minutes, a 25-yard shot from Waghorn came close to earning him a brace.

Minehead: Carl Paige, Toby Morris, Mike Graddon, Louis Burge, Olly Prescott, Sam Heath, Cullen Bruford, Sam Jackson, Cam March, Will Singleton-Voss, Toby Waghorn. Subs: Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Adam Jeffries, Nathan Collins, Fin Harran (All Used) Luke Badcock (Not Used)

Man of the Match: Carl Paige