MINEHEAD bounced back to winning form with a 5-0 home victory over Burnham United in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League.

With Minehead looking for revenge after a 3-2 defeat inflicted by Burnham last month when the sides met at their Cassis Close, it was the visitors’ dangerman Curtis Bradshaw who was presented with a big opportunity to put his side ahead after only six minutes. However, the powerful striker, who had opened the scoring in August, on this occasion shot over from 25 yards out.

Moments later, returning Minehead midfielder Matty Ronan tried his luck from over 30 yards out, but saw his effort go a foot or so wide.

Taking play to their opponents, it was Minehead who took the lead in the 18th minute when Fin Harran, playing as a makeshift right back, beat a defender on the bottom touchline, and sent over an inch perfect cross to the far post where in form striker Toby Waghorn, scorer of five goals in the last home game, ghosted in and volleyed an unstoppable shot past Burnham keeper Ashton Bates.

In Minehead’s next attack, a slick move started in midfield, another perfect cross found Waghorn again and this time his effort cannoned off Bates for a corner.

Moments later another dangerous cross, this time from Will Singleton-Voss, was headed against his own post by Burnham defender Morgan Sealey as Minehead continued to press the game. The Blues remained alert and played bright, snappy football and just after the half hour mark, after Olly Prescott had robbed a defender, Waghorn slammed home his second goal into the top corner.

Guy Burns then intercepted a sloppy free kick from Burnham, beat a static defender, and shot home, putting him within six goals of becoming Minehead’s fourth highest goal-scorer of all time.

A minute before the break, Andy Hall dribbled past two opponents on the half way line, then laid on an exquisite pass to Burns. Making a beeline into the box, and drawing the keeper, he then unselfishly laid off a square ball to Waghorn, who had broken with him, and he slotted into the open net to record his hat-trick.

With the result now no longer in doubt Minehead visibly eased off in the second half, and looked less lively, but Waghorn scored his fourth, taking his tally to nine in two home games, beating Bates again after another perfect through ball for the striker to run on to, executed this time by Ronan.

Waghorn and Ronan were then replaced by substitutes Sam Jackson and Declan Green, and Minehead remained in control of the game for the remaining 20 minutes. The final piece of action worthy of note, was a superb save from Greg Turner in the closing minutes, when he tipped a fierce shot over the bar.

Minehead: Greg Turner, Fin Harran, Toby Morris, Louis Burge, JJ Knight, Andy Hall, Matty Ronan, Toby Waghorn, Guy Burns, Olly PrescottSubs: Sam Jackson, Declan Green, Felix Faun (all used) Man of the Match: Toby Waghorn.

This was Minehead’s third victory and enabled the seasiders to move up to eighth in the table which is led on goal difference by Portishead Town Reserves, one of four teams on 14 points.

This coming Saturday, October 4, Minehead entertain Burnham United yetagain, this time in a Somerset Senior Cup encounter.