Somerset Division One: Minehead 2-0 Nailsea & Tickenham Reserves

MINEHEAD rose to third position in the table with a deserved 2-0 home win over Nailsea & Tickenham Reserves on Saturday, courtesy of a goal in each half from in-form goal-scorers Matt Trump and Guy Burns, writes Brian Walder.

From early doors it was Blues captain Stefan Phillips making the hosts’ tick with his most commanding performance of the season, though centre half Ryan Wilkins had to come to The Blues’ rescue heading off the line to avert a certain goal.

Fielding their fifth different keeper in just the sixth game of the season, debutant Chris McKee had a nervy first half but looked more assured as his confidence grew in the second period when he made important interventions as the visitors grew in confidence after being quite dominated in the first half.

Just past the quarter of an hour mark, a perfect through ball from Rob Vickers gave Trump the opportunity to burst through and from the bottom corner of the Irnham Road penalty box gave advancing keeper Mathew Gregory no chance with a firm shot arrowed into the top corner.

Phillips then provided a good opening for Burns, whose left footed shot was well saved by the custodian.

Early in the second half Burns doubled the advantage when he intercepted a pass from the keeper to a full back, and having then rounded the keeper shot home his eighth goal of the season.

Minehead should have made it three just after the hour mark when a perfect pass from Sam Heath allowed Trump to burst through on goal again but with Burns in in a more central position his unselfish pass was just cut out by Gregory.

The Blues seemed to then ease off, allowing the visitors a few half chances, but kept their 100% home record, having frugally only conceded once this season at The Recreation Ground.

Minehead: Chris McKee, Rob Vickers, Charlie Purvis, Sam Hallet, Ryan Wilkins, Benn Bartlett, Sam Heath, Stefan Phillips, Guy Burns, Luciano Alves, Matt Trump

Subs: Alfie Lyons, Hubi Wejnerowski, Matty Ronan, Mike Graddon (All Used)

Man of the Match was awarded to Rob Vickers for his solid performance throughout the ninety minutes.

Minehead travel to Somerset Premier League club Ilminster this Saturday where they will be in Somerset Senior Cup 2nd Round action, hoping to force their way into the last 16.