Street Reserves 0-0 Minehead

Minehead’s visit to Street’s historic Tannery Ground to face The Cobblers Reserve XI, gave them an opportunity to gain points from the current basement club who were also without a point on the board.

Though they had previously gained three points in their first game back in August when they won 4-0 they have since had three points deducted for failing to raise a side.

Since that first game they have not gained a point and have conceded nine goals on three separate occasions in their last six games, whilst only scoring once.

Even though Minehead have not been in great goalscoring form in recent weeks, they could easily have thought they only had to turn up to win.

Street were strengthened by the inclusion of three regular first team players whose game against Wellington had been called off and for the first twenty minutes looked the most likely to score and an incisive move put Corey Andrews through on goal, but he shot straight at keeper Kyran Wilkins, then moments later Jordan Lovibond’s effort from a perfect cross was also to close to the busier keeper.

Minehead, who themselves were strengthened by a guest appearance by former captain Stefan Phillips, also available because of the Wellington v Street postponement, had their first real attempt on goal when central defender Mike Graddon drove forward well from just inside the Street half and shot a yard wide from 30 yards out with Street’s keeper Will Pope looking beaten.

With the hosts continuing to press into advanced positions Wilkins did well to block a shot from Connor Townsend with his foot but Minehead retaliated through Rob Vickers who ran onto a perfect pass from the hard-working Hubi Wejnerowski and his shot from twelve yards out was well saved at the foot of the near post by Pope.

This seemed to kick start Minehead’s performance and for the remainder of the first half it was them who seemed to control the play and look more like scoring. A quickly taken Graddon free kick going inches over the bar with the keeper nowhere in sight and fellow defender Toby Morris saw his effort tipped over the bar by Pope.

The second half was much the same with both sides going close but earning no cigar. A neutral would have found this a particularly entertaining contest but at the end of the day goal-less draw.    

Minehead: Kyran Wilkins, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Toby Morris, Stefan Phillips, Mike Graddon, Hubi Wejnerowski, Rob Vickers, Dan Vickers, Andy Hall, Tristan Hobbs-Wright, Olly Prescott

Substitutes: Guy Burns, Benn Bartlett (Both Used)

Man of the Match: Stefan Phillips

Minehead are away again this coming Saturday when they face one Somerton who have for several seasons been consistently one of the best teams in the league.