MINEHEAD 1610 made their debut in Division Two of the Somerset County Women’s League on Sunday with a 7-0 win over relegated Ilminster Reserves, watched by an 80-strong home crowd.

Nicknamed the Bluebells, they were playing only their third game together, and they pressed from the start, with good runs from captain Morgan Smith, Donna Giles and Natalie Price.

The pressure soon opened up gaps in the Ilminster defence and Minehead took the lead with a good finish into the bottom right corner by Price.

Ilminster rarely got out of their own half as Minehead created chances for Sophie Tipper, Vicki Langdon and Liz Darby, who all went close before Smith made it 2-0 after some clever play on the left.

With little attacking play from Ilminster, defenders Abbie Vickers, Emma Jones and Abbie Rendell made sure any chances were snuffed out, and just before half-time time played a perfect ball for Smith to run on to and place inside the post to make it 3-0.

With the new ruling for roll on roll off substitutions, fresh-legged Minehead continued from where they left off in the second half, with solid midfield play from Danii Birkett and Giles, and with their confidence growing, a perfectly-timed run by Smith on the left wing ended with her whipping the ball into the net to complete her hat-trick.

Ilminster responded with a few challenging runs but well-timed defending from Vickers and communication with keeper Amy Thomas prevented any threat.

Player-coach Christina Storey came on for her first appearance and immediately posed an attacking threat ,but Minehead just fell short until Giles made a confident solo run through the Ilminster centre and finished with a fijne strike to make it 5-0.

Forwards Kirsty Trevis and Elishia Roberston then combined with winger Tipper with some good one-two passing, the end pass from Trevis finding Tipper in front of goal to hit home number six.

Giles again found the net from a left wing cross by Smith to complete an impressive first win fort the Bluebells.

Minehead’s woman of the match was hard working midfielder Danii Birkett.

Minehead 1610 Ladies: Amy Thomas, Abbie Vickers, Liz Darby, Abbie Rendell, Emma Jones, Christina Storey, Vicki Langdon, Donna Giles, Danii Birkett, Sophie Tipper, Morgan Smith, Bex Prunier, Natalie Price, Elishia Robertson, Kirsty Trevis.