Uhlsport Somerset County League
Premier Division
Odd Down Res 0, Watchet Town 3

WATCHET began the new season on Saturday by making the long trip to Bath to play Odd Down Reserves and came home with three points thanks to three first-half goals.

A brace from Aerron Clausen - who did not feature on the scoresheet once last term - and a rare headed goal from Tom Sparks gave the Red & Blacks an unassailable lead on a rain swept afternoon on top of the hill at Odd Down.

After the home side had made the early running, Watchet came much more into the game and they were rewarded by taking the lead.

Ben Robinson broke forward on the right to supply Sparks inside the area and the most was made of having a man over as he, in turn, found an unmarked Clausen, who controlled the pass before confidently side-footing wide of the keeper.

Robinson made a couple of important clearances as the Downers briefly threatened but, with their young midfield - where Cam Sanford and Sam Steel made a return to their colours - scrapping for loose balls and the control of Sparks always causing problems, it was Watchet who claimed the next goal.

The Odd Down keeper came off his line only to completely misjudge a long diagonal ball from Robinson and Clausen took full advantage by steering home a first-time half-volley with his left foot from an acute angle.

The visitors went on to increase their advantage as Robinson whipped an inviting free kick into the goalmouth where Sparks stooped to nod into the net.

Watchet made a shaky start to the second half but the visitors gradually settled again to look the more dangerous outfit.

Billy Jones fired over the top and Sparks was inches wide of the far post with an angled drive after completely stitching up his marker.

The Red & Blacks were happy to deal with the little which was thrown their way and when a deflection from a long ball put a forward through on his own, Adam Bishop advanced to the rescue with a fine save.

Watchet: Adam Bishop, Ben Robinson, Matt Heywood, Chris Sully, Eben Harding, Cam Sanford, Sam Steel, Charley Clausen, Billy Jones, Tom Sparks, Aerron Clausen. Subs: Oli Jones (used), Aaron Deeks (not used).

Champions Chilcompton’s scheduled match at Middlezoy was postponed due to a cracked pitch.

The Red & Blacks are due to visit Clutton this Saturday, whose home game last week was postponed owing to the same problem.

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Somerset County Gazette:

GOALSCORER: Minehead player Callum Barnfield (right), who netted a late winner for the hosts.

Somerset County League
Division 1
Minehead AFC 2, Burnham United 1

MINEHEAD opened the campaign with a narrow victory over Burnham United in a keenly and evenly-contested match between two good sides, both looking to play football.

The Blues started the liveliest and Luke Bloys went close with a 20-yard effort which visiting keeper Will Lamb pushed away for a corner.

Another effort from slightly further out saw the returning Luke Howells beat Lamb, but his drive came back off the crossbar.

With Minehead applying the majority of the pressure, the next goalmouth episode happened when nippy visiting centre forward Joe Selway broke through the heart of the Blues’ defence, only to be rushed into shooting wide when confronted by imposing keeper Kyran Wilkins.

Howells was not to be denied 10 minutes before the break when, having won the ball inside the centre circle, he jinked his way past a handful of opponents then played a keeper-eliminating one-two with debutant Matt Harvey before sliding the ball into the empty net.

Burnham came back strongly and both Warren Whitfield and Joe Selway had chances to level before half-time.

An even second period erupted into a frenzy five minutes from time, when substitute Steve Leaf blocked an attempted clearance by home keeper Kyran Wilkins, and Curtis Bradshaw reacted swiftly to slot home and level the scores.

The home reply was almost instant and, minutes after Paul Smyth’s free-kick was saved by Lamb, Callum Barnfield nicked the ball from a defender and fired in from six yards out.

Both sides should be pleased with their opening performances but it was Minehead who just about deserved to take the points.

Minehead: Kyran Wilkins, Stefan Phillips, Matt Cracknell, Paul Smyth, Mike Mullen, Lee Todd, Callum Barnfield, Luke Bloys, Matty Harvey, Luke Howells, Rob Vickers. Substitutes: Tristan Hawkins, Cody Truscott, Ethan Palmer (all used). Gerry Hatrick Man of the Match: Paul Smyth.

Minehead are at home again this coming Saturday, when they face their closest league opponents, Staplegrove, back in Division 1 after being relegated last season from the Premier Division.

The game kicks off at 3pm.

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STAPLEGROVE suffered a 2-1 defeat at Winscombe in their first Somerset County League match of the season.

Grove, in Division 1 after relegation last season, are under new management in Kirk Reece.

James Rowley netted for the visitors, but Owen Griffiths and Robert Harraway’s goals won it for Winscombe, who finished fifth in last year’s Division 1 West.