MINEHEAD went down to a 1-0 home defeat against highflyers Peasedown Miners Welfare in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League in their first match in a fortnight.

With the start delayed considerably by The Miners’ coach being held up by a major accident on the motorway, the first half saw Minehead chasing an early opener and a well-directed effort by Olly Prescott was well saved at full stretch by Freddie Haines.

Returning the compliment at the other end, Paige denied a Sam Jones’ effort. Blues top scorer Toby Waghorn was causing the visiting defence problems with his characteristic chasing of through balls; on one such occasion, having won the ball off the last defender he bore down on goal, but his shot was rushed and went uncharacteristically high over the bar.

Minehead’s midfield playmaker Lewis Smith then went desperately close to opening the scoring, but his seemingly well-placed shot cannoned off the inside of the post and came back into play, denying the Seasiders of the opening goal.

Peasedown’s well drilled, more direct and generally physically stronger squad, finally went away from The Recreation Ground with all three points, courtesy of an injury time goal scored by one of the top strikers in the league Rico Sobers who managed to reach a well-directed long ball into the danger zone a fraction before Minehead keeper Carl Paige.

Paige, who was the worst off out of the two colliding players, was able to continue for the remaining few minutes of the game after a lengthy break for treatment.

This victory moves Peasedown to the top of league table, though they have played a game more than second and third placed Ashcott and Westfield respectively.

It was Minehead’s second defeat of the season and they are now hovering just above the relegation zone, although they have played only five matches.

Peasedown lead the table on goal difference from Ashcott who have a game in hand, while Westfield are only one point further adrift.

Biggest shock of the day was the 5-0 win at home by Ashcott over previous leaders Paulton Rovers Sports who drop back down to fourth in the table. It was Paulton’s first loss of the season.

Westfield pulled off an impressive 4-1 away victory over Imperial which leaves their rivals third from bottom, having won only one of their six matches.

Minehead: Carl Paige, Harvey Lovell, Mike Graddon, Luke Badcock, James Knight, Lewis Smith, Olly Prescott, Sam Jackson, Adam Jefferies, Will Singleton-Voss, Toby Waghorn Subs: Louis Burge, Toby Morris, Cullen Bruford, Jacob Wyre (all used). Man of the Match: Harvey Lovell.

First division results: Ashcott 5, Paulton Rovers Sports 0; Clutton 4, St George Easton in Gordano 2; Glastonbury 3, Worle 2; Imperial 1, Westfield 4; Minehead 0, Peasedown Miners Welfare 1; Winscombe 4, Isle of Wedmore 0; Nailsea United Reserves v Watchet Town (postponed).

*Watchet Town were forced to call off their match away to fellow strugglers Nailsea United Reserves - also in the first division - because of ‘lack of numbers.’

It was the first Saturday that Watchet, who were relegated at the end of last season, would have fielded two sides, the Reserves playing in the Centregreat Taunton and District Saturday League away to Wellington Road Dons.