Minehead suffer defeat to Ashcott in latest league match

After a strong start from Ashcott, who scored twice in the first half, Minehead struggled to find the net despite showing more resolve and cohesion in the second half.

The game began with a fierce shot from Ashcott, which hit the crossbar.

The referee awarded a corner kick, spotting that Blues' keeper Greg Turner had managed to get a touch on the ball with an acrobatic save.

The goal frame was rattled again when a long shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced down close to the goal line.

Minehead had a chance to take the lead when Ollie Hall beat a defender with some trickery, but his effort from more than 25 yards was inches wide.

Guy Burns also tried a 30-yarder, which was on target, but Ashcott's keeper Will Pope made an important save.

Ashcott then began to dominate, with JJ Knight doing well to prevent a goal after a striker had rounded Turner.

Minehead were pinned into their own half for much of the first half, with the home defence displaying an organised high line, often close to the halfway line.

By the end of the first half, Minehead had been breached twice.

Firstly, full-back Ollie Bell managed to force the ball home after a few half-chances were blocked.

Ashcott then doubled their lead after a superb save by Turner, with Ollie Luce following up to score.

Luce was Ashcott’s most dangerous player, with his free running and perfect crosses causing the Blues defence headaches throughout the first half.

The second half saw a change in Minehead’s approach.

They noticeably took the game to their hosts, pinning them into defending far more than in the first half.

Burns and Hall both went close to scoring.

However, with a two-goal lead, Ashcott looked comfortable enough.

Despite several pairs of fresh legs being introduced, as manager Craig Carr tried different options, the result was never really in doubt.

Minehead's starting lineup included Turner, Knight, Toby Morris, Louis Burge, Stefan Phillips, Will Singleton-Voss, Sam Jackson, Bertie Harvey-Larmar, Guy Burns, Hall, and Olly Prescott.

Fin Harran, Declan Green, Andy Hall, and Felix Faun were all used as substitutes, with Harvey-Larmar being named as man of the match.

The Blues will be back at Irnham Road on Saturday, September 6 for a 3pm kick-off, when visitors Winscombe will be trying to avoid a league double being inflicted on them.

Minehead won 2-0 in North Somerset on the opening day of the season.

Since then, however, Winscombe have won both of their games played, which has elevated them to sixth in the table.