MINEHEAD Reserves went down 3-0 at home to highflyers Taunton Town Reserves in the Premier Division of the Taunton Saturday League.

With defenders Gubb and Phippen missing Minehead were able to call on quality replacements in Toby Morris and Luke Badcock to join Oli Jones and Josh Bruford in front of keeper Tomasz Kubaczewski.

A strong Minehead midfield of Torren Eldridge, Dan Vickers, Rob Vickers and Oli Reaney more than held their own albeit the threat going forward was lessened by top scorer Haiden Griffiths playing in a deeper role behind Riley Pope. Indeed the home team were unlucky not to go in at half time ahead when the Taunton keeper saved magnificently from short range pushing Griffiths goal bound effort onto the bar only to see the rebound again hitting the bar from Badcock.

All square at half time, Luke Batts replaced Pope after much tireless running. The first ten minutes was much more of the same but a fit Taunton team gradually asserted more pressure. A set piece saw Dan Vickers head off the line and then Jones was adjudged to give away a penalty.

A fine save by Kubaczewski saw the ball rattle the crossbar but the penalty-taker got to the rebound first to put Taunton one up.

Alfie Cotterell and Tom Kennett were next off the bench and with 12 minutes to go Cotterell mistimed a tackle in the box and this time striker Allen’s Poskus made no mistake from the spot.

Minehead pushed forward to try and get the game back but it was Poskus who completed his hat trick with his last kick of the game. Man of the match:- Torren Eldridge

Minehead: Tomasz Kubaczewski, Josh Bruford, Oli Jones, Luke Badcock, Toby Morris, Torren Eldridge, Dan Vickers, Robert Vickers, Oli Reaney, Haiden Griffiths, Riley Pope. Subs: Luke Batts, Alfie Cotterell, Tom Kennett.

Mark Vickers