MINEHEAD Reserves maintained the good start to the season with a 3-0 away victory over Old Inn in Division One of the Taunton Saturday League. Fielding a strong team Minehead started well and encamped themselves largely in Old Inn’s half and playing some football that was a joy to watch. The midfield of Oli Reaney, the returning Dan Vickers, Haiden Griffiths, Sam Jackson and Rob Vickers, playing his first game since injury 6 months ago, were always likely to be too strong for Old Inn.

It was from one such move that Reaney played a wonderful cross to the far post which saw a sublime header from top scorer Riley Pope back across the goal, giving Old Inn’s keeper no chance. Other chances came and went from a variety of players but it wasn’t until the 43rd minute when Andy Gubb, moving at pace, crossed from the left resulting in Rob Vickers, twisting in the box causing him to be brought down. His brother Dan stepped up to slot the penalty home.

Minehead’s superiority allowed seamless substitutions with Josh Heath, Alfie Cotterell and Bart Kubaczewski, playing his first game for 5 months after injury, entering the field of play.

Playing downhill the pressure was still very much on Old Inn and further chances were missed by the Blues. Goalkeeper Lewis Breillat and the defence of Myles Campbell-Farmer, Lewis Norman, Oli Jones and veteran Gubb did everything asked of them and allowed Minehead to maintain the best defensive record in the division to date.

Mid way through the half a quickly taken free kick from Kubaczewski found Jackson for his assist to be powered home from a difficult angle by Pope for his second of the game. There remained time for the unlucky Heath to rattle the bar from range on two occasions. Man of the match: Riley Pope

Mark Vickers