MINEHEAD head Central Division Two of the West Hockey League following a hard-fought 5-2 victory at home to Keynsham on Saturday.

With a near gale-force wind behind their backs, Keynsham belied their lowly league status and took the game to Minehead, opening the scoring on ten minutes following a short corner.

They were using the conditions to their advantage and Minehead were indebted to keeper Freddie Wilson for limiting the damage with several impressive saves as the Bristol side pressed.

Minehead managed to weather the assault and on a rare attack levelled matters, Ben Cowling powerfully converting a short corner with pin-point accuracy.

Keynsham continued to press but were unable to find a breakthrough as the half ended all square at 1-1.

In the second half , with the home team now making use of the favourable conditions, they took the lead on 40 minutes when Rob Speed built on his impressive start to life in the 1st XI by converting at the back post.

Keynsham restored parity on 45 minutes following a well-worked breakaway, but Minehead hit back almost instantly, Nick Bennett converting from the angle after James Weetch’s snapshot came back off the post.

Weetch was not to be denied and put Minehead 4-2 ahead in spectacular fashion, holding off three players before hitting an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

The stunning finish from Minehead’s top scorer seemed to break the Keynsham resolve and Weetch rounded off an impressive second half team display with his second and Minehead’s fifth, the 5-2 scoreline a little harsh on a Keynsham side who were made to pay for not maximising their first half advantage.

Minehead are at home this weekend against bottom of the table Mendip in their final league game before the winter break.

The Inspired Partnership man of the match was Fred Wilson.

Minehead: Fred Wilson, Ben Cowling, Nick Hill, Dominic Bowden, Nick Jones, Ian Jeanes, Chris Weetch, James Weetch, Nick Bennett, Rob Speed, Jos Bennett, Lawrence Taylor