Minehead 2-1 Ashton & Backwell United Reserves

WITH several players missing a resilient Minehead performance saw them gain all three points from their game against Ashton and Backwell Utd’s reserve team.

The match was being replayed after their fixture at The Rec in August was brought to an end in the 87th minute after a serious injury to Minehead’s Tiago Alipio.

Taking the game to their opponents, Minehead almost took the lead in the 12th minute when Matt Trump’s in-swinging corner came back off the crossbar with visiting keeper Ned Curle beaten.

The Blues took the lead mid-way through the first half when an incisive move instigated by Guy Burns saw Benn Bartlett cross to where veteran striker Andy Hall shot home from eight yards.

With Minehead having bossed the first half and deservedly taken the lead, the visitors certainly had their hosts on the back foot for the majority of the second forty-five, and though Guy Burns saw his effort well saved at the foot of the post, as well as Rob Vickers’ shot being cleared off the goal-line by the last Backwell defender, it was no great surprise when the pressure finally told and Sam Thomas equalised from a free-kick.

With Minehead’s captain and goal-keeper being unavailable, long term injured striker Henry Murrell had gamely worn the goalkeepers’ jersey and had performed particularly well throughout.  However  the winger incurred a further injury fifteen minutes from time, with full back Martyn Phillips taking over the gloves for the final period of the game.

The final twist to the game saw Minehead break into the Backwell half when Matt Trump’s trickery and pace took him past his defender and having centred to Guy Burns, the striker shot home to record his fourth goal in four games to somewhat steal an unlikely win for The Blues.

Minehead: Henry Murrell, Martyn Phillips, Toby Morris, Jacob Worrall, Mike Graddon, Benn Bartlett,  Hubi Wejnerowski, Andy Hall, Rob Vickers, Guy Burns, Rob Vickers
Subs: Matty Ronan, James Browning, Bertie Harvey-Larmar (All Used)

Minehead return to The Rec for their penultimate home appearance of the 22/23 season this Saturday, when they host Saltford.

Minehead were 1-0 victors at Saltford two games ago and will be looking to record their second league double of the season.

Kick-off is at 3pm.