AVRIL Cooke has been appointed Minehead AFC’s first team manager for the remainder of the season.

Cooke, who had been in temporary charge since the departure of Alex Pope in October, is understood to be the club’s first ever female manager of the 1st XI.

She has overseen a recent upturn in fortunes, with the Blues moving into mid-table having looked in relegation trouble, though the Blues were beaten by Division 1 leaders Timsbury Athletic on Saturday.

Despite some heroic saves from Minehead goalkeeper Kyran Wilkins, goals from Ebner Heatley, Toby Neilson and Rhys Cook earned a 3-0 win for the visitors.

It was far from one-way traffic, though, with chances at both ends and two of Timsbury's goals coming in the final five minutes.

Guy Burns, Jack Furse, Luke Boyle and Martyn Phillips all came close to scoring for the Blues, but their efforts were either narrowly off target or well saved by the opposition keeper.

This coming Saturday sees Minehead host fellow Somerset side Staplegrove at Irnham Road (2pm).