Somerset Division One: Stockwood Green 2-0 Minehead AFC

MINEHEAD AFC now sit in 11th place in the Uhlsport Somerset County Division One after their run without a win extended to 11 games at the weekend.

Playing on Easter Saturday, Minehead lost 2-0 away from home at Stockwood Green.

Minehead were the first team to put in a meaningful attack, when Martyn Phillips, playing in an elevated attacking position, was presented with an opportunity in the second minute, miscued his shot on the turn from ten yards out, making it a comfortable save for the home side’s gloves-man Austin Empson.

The next real attempt at goal came midway through the first half when Max Machalak ran onto a perfect through ball from deep, but his attempt to beat Vinnie Jones was just wide.

The hosts edged themselves into the lead a few minutes later when a deep cross by Blake Reid was headed home by central defender Ian Walsh.

Five minutes before the break, Stefan Phillips’ mistimed challenge was adjudged by the referee to be just inside the eighteen-yard line, which gave home centre forward Lewis Bull the opening to put his team into a commanding position at half time by converting the penalty kick.

Minehead struggled to get any real foot-hold in the game during the second half, despite bringing on all three substitutes.

Having now completed the double over Minehead this season, the Bristol side have given themselves a potential chance of finishing the season above them in the table which would improve their chances of finishing outside of the relegation positions, but they would need to win at least two of their final three games, one of which is against Staplegrove who look the likeliest to finish as champions.

Minehead: Adam “Vinnie” Jones, Charlie Purvis, Toby Morris, Ryan Wilkins, Luke Badcock, Stefan Phillips, Martyn Phillips, Guy Burns, Sam Jackson

Subs:  Lewis Goodrum, Alfie Lyons, Sam Jackson (All Used)

Minehead’s final home game of the season this Saturday sees them entertain Yatton & Cleeve United, who are currently five places above The Blues in sixth place.

Yatton have sufficient games in hand on the three teams above them to make a late claim on a promotion position, should they finish the season strongly. Minehead then have four away games in a row to finish their season and they still require points to guarantee finishing outside the bottom three.

Kick-off at The Rec is at 3pm.