First game out

Minehead 2s 3 - 0 Chard 2s

Chard made the trip to Minehead knowing they would be pushed as their subs for the game had been whittled away in the preceding 48 hours. Nonetheless everyone knew their jobs and set out with gusto to show the home side what they were about.
Millett Snr, Eames, and Parsons dictated play from the back, ably supported by Goddard and Millett Jnr at right and left back respectively. Skipper Eggle dropped back to centre midfield alongside the youth and close skill of Jaffe. New boy Richards, and candidate for most improved during the off-season Willis were very conspicuous on the right and left, with Cullum playing in the CAM role and 2s stalwart Dening up front.
The visitors started positively, with solid passing, plenty of pressure when defending, and a good read of the opposition. Nonetheless they went a goal down due to a goalmouth scramble that was trickled over the line by the home team. Not to be down-heartened the visitors hit back hard, but lacked the clinical edge they have shown in season past, and failed to find an equaliser.
Against the run of play the home team picked up another goal, but there were several infringements in the D that weren’t picked up by the umpires, hence the home team knew they were very lucky going in to half time 2-0 up.
The lack of subs, and lengthy lay off since their last competitive game were showing in Chard legs, but they came back out in the second half with renewed positivity confident of getting back in the game. On balance Chard were deserving of drawing level with much the better chances and the lion’s share of possession in the home team’s half. They were left frustrated though as several opportunities shaved the wrong side of the post or were cleared away by the hardworking Minehead defence.
Against the run of play again, Minehead bundled another goal and confident in their extended lead defended doggedly relying on counter attacks to frustrate the visitors.
Despite greeting the final whistle 3-0 victors, the home team knew they had been in a tough match, and that the score line flattered them.
Man of the Match for the visitors: Riley Millett in a near unanimous vote.