MINEHEAD maintained their 100 per cent record and returned to the top of Division Three South in the Somerset Women’s Football League with a 2-0 home win over title rivals Taunton Town.

This was a big game in tough conditions as both teams fought valiantly in front of a great turnout. Minehead started the brighter, with early chances, with one in particular providing a goalkeeping masterclass in reactions from the Taunton keeper.

First, Mabel had a strike saved from close range, with the rebound falling kindly to Evie, who had the goal at her mercy, but somehow the Taunton keeper got back into a position to save once more! After a slightly cagey start, this galvanised The Blues that they could get at Taunton!

The first half as a whole ebbed and flowed between sustained periods of pressure for both teams. Minehead were winning the key battles across the pitch, but Taunton were finding ways to win multiple corners, which proved to be their biggest threat!

As the half neared its conclusion in a fairly even contest, the Minehead midfield linked brilliantly to release Mabel, who was tugged back to win a free-kick around 30 yards from goal. The Rec fell silent as they watched Jaz tee up what would seem like an audacious attempt on goal! However, any Minehead supporter will know that this was well within Jaz’s range, and once again she delivered a jaw-dropping strike and put a postage stamp into the right top corner!

The half-time message for The Blues was to manage the game, keeping winning their duals, and take the game to Taunton! As the second half commenced, it was evident that Minehead had a spring in their step and were now creating chance after chance, only being halted by the pacy Taunton full-back and the imposing keeper.

The foundations for this came from the spine of Bontia in the back line and Erin in central areas! The catalyst for sustained pressure as the tie had totally swung in Minehead’s favour as Taunton were fully penned in. Then around the hour mark Minehead were finally rewarded. Another great move looked to have petered out when Emeral took a tame shot towards goal but suddenly the ball ricocheted out of the keeper’s possession and like any good striker Mabel followed up and bravely tapped in from close-range.

Taunton now had to go for the jugular and were struggling to get around the Minehead press and relentless hardwork! Right across the pitch the midfield of Kianna, Jaz, Courtney & Evie stayed compact! The defence of Bonita, Darcy and debutant Evie-Mae were effectively faultless. Whenever they did breach they were met with Maddison who was having the game of her life in goal! Commanding her box and making crucial saves!

The final quarter went by with impeccable game management from the young Minehead side. Without a sub The Blues took their time to gather themselves, take the sting out of proceedings, not give Taunton an inch to breathe and eagerly await the full-time whistle. That allusive whistle finally came as Minehead celebrated a league double of over Taunton, a stellar cleansheet and a return to the top of the league with 10 wins from 10 games.

Minehead manager Dan Haran said: “This team, these girls, continue to make this role truly rewarding.”