MINEHEAD entertained Tone Youth in the Under 15 KO Cup in the Taunton and District League on a grey Sunday afternoon -- and against a very good team went down 7-2.

Things started badly for Minehead when they found themselves 1-0 down as Tone grabbed the lead after just 10 seconds. Just two minutes later, it was 2-0 as the hosts failed to clear their lines.

Minehead then started to respond better. Harry Milton made an important save to calm things at the back, and Theo Arkell, in particular, was popping up everywhere to stop attacks, with similar being said about Sam Taylor-Pitkin; the captain providing much needed assistance from deep in midfield.

It was however continued pressure for the next 10 minutes and as Ollie Tisbury, Max Munro and Ollie Pravato grew in to the game, it looked as though things were shoring up at the back and Tone Youth were limited to an effort that flew over the bar.

Harry Milton was quick off his lines to smother an attack on 19 minutes and a minute later showed some smart handling under pressure to deny Tone Youth yet again.

Minehead did manage one effort during this time - a long shot from Casey Paxton, playing in centre midfield, which went over on 15 minutes. On 23 minutes a header made it 3-0 to Tone Youth.

Minehead’s luck was not about to change, and two minutes later, ‘keeper Harry Milton gathered the ball, but on the slippery surface he took a nasty knock to the knee, ending his afternoon early.

The changes were rung – Ewan Stitt went from one end of the field to the other and replaced Harry in goal. Minehead then enjoyed their best 10 minute spell so far and despite chances they were unable to score. And on 34 minutes, a free kick from Tone Youth added a fourth to their tally.

The visitors dominated the final third for large periods, but despite this Minehead worked hard to get something positive from the half and did not let their heads drop.

In the dying minutes of the half Minehead gave their fans something to cheer when they won a freekick 25 yards out, which captain Sam hit into the back of the net to make it 4-1 to the visitors at the interval.

The second half started with Tone continuing to pile on the pressure and in the 55th minute they scored a fifth. Ten minutes later it was 6-1 and when the visitors made it 7-1 it looked to be all over.

Full credit to Minehead though, with five minutes left, on a horrible afternoon and 7-1 down, rather than let their heads drop, the hosts had their best period of the game and were rewarded when they were awarded a penalty which Sam Taylor-Pitkin buried the ball low and left of the keeper to make it 7-2 at the final whistle.

The coaching team can be pleased that Minehead didn’t give up throughout, even at 7-1 down the side kept giving it their all right up until the end.

Sam Taylor-Pitkin took the Player of the Match award, with two well taken goals, and a proper ‘heart-on-the-sleeve’ performance.

Tone Youth were a talented side and it was no disgrace to lose to them. . .