Football: Minehead AFC lose 2-0 at home to Westfield

Blues fans were aggrieved as Toby Waghorn's opener was ruled out for offside, with the home side going on to lose 2-0 <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
Blues fans were aggrieved as Toby Waghorn's opener was ruled out for offside, with the home side going on to lose 2-0 (Image: Newsquest)
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Minehead AFC's depleted squad fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Westfield.

With several regular players missing, Minehead faced a challenging match against a Westfield side just one place above the relegation zone.

The visitors started strong and almost took the lead in the second minute.

A close-range shot was blocked by Blues' keeper Greg Turner, who used his right foot to deflect the ball away for a corner.

Minehead immediately launched a counter-attack, with league top scorer Toby Waghorn finding the net after the Westfield keeper spilt Olly Prescott's long-range shot.

However, the home fans' celebrations were cut short as the referee disallowed the goal due to an offside infringement, much to their disappointment.

Westfield took advantage and soon made their mark on the scoreboard.

Jared Steel provided an assist for Morgan James, who slammed the ball into the top corner from just outside the box.

It was a strike described as "one of the best goals seen at The Rec this season."

Despite the setback, Minehead continued to press forward.

Olly Prescott was unlucky not to score with a 25-yard curler that was brilliantly saved by the Westfield keeper.

Matty Ronan also came close with a goal-bound shot that was parried away just ten minutes before the break.

In a bid to get back on terms, Minehead made two early substitutions in the second half, with Sam Jackson and Harvey Lovell coming on for Declan Green and Harvey Henderson.

However, their performance started to falter, and Westfield capitalised on this by doubling their lead around the hour mark, thanks to Ryan Allen.

Minehead's attempts to rally saw them awarded a free kick for a foul on Prescott, but his effort went inches wide of the target.

Substitutions continued with Erik Zachrisson and Tatenda Mashiri getting some game time, but Minehead's chances of recovery looked slim as time dragged on.

The match ended with a 2-0 defeat, Minehead's second consecutive 2-0 home defeat.

The starting line-up for Minehead was Turner, Fin Haran, Henderson, Toby Morris, Michael Nield, Andy Hall, Ronan, Green, Prescott, Waghorn, and Guy Burns.

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