MINEHEAD U12 Youth Blues fought out a 1-1 away draw against Bishops Lydeard Mixed Panthers in Division Two of the Under 12 section in the Taunton & District Youth Football League.

Minehead started slowly but began to dominate with excellent footwork through midfield from Minehead’s Finley and an early on target shot by Minehead forward Oaklen, which was saved by the Lydeard keeper.

Ten minutes into the game the heavens opened and the rain started falling, which meant for miserable conditions at the exposed Bishops Lydeard ground.

A number of Minehead corners in the early part of the first half also came to nothing, before the balance of play began to equal out between the two sides. In the later part of the first half a Bishops Lydeard free kick just outside the box was skilfully saved by Lou, the Minehead keeper.

Then straight back to the other end Minehead’s Oaklen had another on target shot only for this to also be saved.

Goalless going into the second half, the pitch began to water log with both teams struggling and play was scrappy.

Bishops Lydeard took the upper hand, with a shot again saved by Lou, a corner and two further free kicks, none of which came to fruition for Lydeard.

All this while the Blues could only muster a shot wide by midfielder George. In the 13th minute of the second half a penalty came Minehead’s way after a handball inside the Lydeard box, with Minehead’s Finley stepping up and slotting the ball past the keeper for 1-0.

But within five minutes at the opposite end of the field an attacking Bishops Lydeard player fell in the box handing Lydeard a penalty, which was scored to bring the match level at 1-1.

Parents player of the match: Finley; Coaches player of the match: Oaklen.