Minehead’s final pre-season friendly saw them hosting Wellington Reserves again, meaning that all eight friendlies have been played against equivalent or higher pyramid level sides.

While the first half was relatively even it was slightly edged by the visitors, and The Blues fell behind during injury time to a goal created by an incisive run by their impressive striker Jack Bryant, who then supplied a square ball which left it a simple task for their equally impressive winger Josh Sabana to prod home.

Four minutes into the second period Kyran Wilkins, making his first appearance of the season for The Blues, kept his side in the game with a trade mark block with his left foot when the pacey Sabana broke through Minehead’s defence for a one on one, and moments later the hosts were again fortunate not to fall further behind when Louis Burge managed to clear the ball off the goal-line as the last man.

Having weathered the storm, Minehead’s principally young side, which had several first team squad members missing due to injuries, availability and holidays, seemed to grow into the game. They came back strongly in the second half and their forwards saw plenty of action, with Olly Prescott enjoying his best pre-season game, making several wide runs onto through balls to get passed the Wellington defence but mainly in too wide a position to make it count.

Several close calls on the Welly goal during the latter stages, which included a surging run with the ball by Hubi Wejnerowski, but his shot was well saved by the very competent Welly keeper Charlie Hawkins.

Towards the end Prescott again weaved through the backline, this time in a more central position, but his attempt to lob Hawkins was again well saved.

Minehead continued to press but time eventually ran out, and they will rue not making the most of their period on top.

Minehead: Jack Harding, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Ollie Hall, Louis Burge, Josh Heath, Ryan Wilkins, Sam Heath, Josh Elston, Toby Waghorn, Sam Jackson,

Subs: Leon Lofts, Olly Prescott, Will Singleton-Voss, Lewis Goodrum, Hubi Wejnerowski (All Used)

Man of the Match: Louis Burge

This Saturday sees the start of Minehead’s Somerset County League season and they have been blessed with two home games to start off with; the first being against Middlezoy Rovers Reserves, kicking off at 3pm.