Wednesday 26th December 2<strong>01</strong>2 Minehead’s refusal to roll over to Watchet, even with two players sent off after 40 minutes, saw them take all three points from this explosive local derby, with a Stefan Phillips penalty <strong>12</strong> minutes from time separating the two teams. Minehead should have taken the lead in the first minute, when captain Mike Mullen misskicked from 6 yards out in a crowded goalmouth. A long throw caused Minehead problems shortly afterwards but after blocking a few shots the ball was eventually cleared. Then Minehead drew first blood, when a sweeping incisive move from deep in their own half exposed Watchet. Matt Cracknell found Lee Smyth who in turn released Luke Webber on the left flank and his inch perfect cross was buried expertly by Minehead’s inform goalscorer Guy Burns, to put the visitors one up with 19 minutes played. With tackles getting stronger and more reckless by the minute the referee lost any control on the match that he may have initially had and Watchet got back into the match on 35 minutes. Minehead captain Mike Mullen was booked for remonstrating about the referee’s failure to spot repeated breaches of the laws, and from the indirect free kick well inside the penalty box, the ball was passed sideways to Lee Nunn who fired home strongly from 10 yards, whilst the Minehead keeper was unable to attempt a save having been blocked out of the action by a home player. Minehead’s tempers now regrettably snapped, and within a few minutes a high challenge by Chris Yeates which felled two Watchet players, ignited a 20 man mass brawl on the touchline in front of the majority of the large crowd. Fortunately a punch did not appear to be thrown by either team, though with so much going on one could easily have been missed. When sensibility returned some minutes later both Chris Yeates and Minehead substitute Martyn Phillips had both been sent off. Minehead AFC - (Errea Somerset County Premier League) Page 8 WATCHET TOWN (1) 1 MINEHEAD (1)2 Fortunately half time soon came and the 10 minute break seemed to calm things down, and the second half became a dour struggle with neither side seeming capable of getting the ball out onto the wings where the heavy conditions were less restrictive. Minehead’s defence, in particular central defenders Mike Mullen and Paul Smyth stood firm. Tayler Maddock was restricted to long shots, of varying quality, and Tom Sparks only broke clear once but the opening came to nothing. The final twist of the dice came a few minutes after Minehead brought on their second substitute Aaron Deeks, a former Watchet favourite. Having been put through by a fine Damion Redman pass, Deeks pushed the ball passed the keeper, only to be unceremoniously brought down by Adam Bishop, whose momentum caused the collision. Being the last player, a red card was likely, but a yellow was shown allowing Bishop to remain on the pitch for the penalty kick. However blues top scorer Stefan Phillips confidently slotted home to give Minehead their first victory over the red and blacks since August 2<strong>01</strong>0. It was hard to tell how many players had been booked, as the referee only appeared to show cards twice through the whole of the match, however to add to the two sent off Minehead are likely to have had four other players booked, with Watchet’s players faring somewhat better. Had a stronger referee been officiating things may have been quite different. Whilst you cannot condone players’ tempers, this was a feisty local derby and it was always going to need a strong referee. Minehead: K Wilkins, C Newbold, M Cracknell., M Mullen, P Smyth, C Yeates, S Phillips, L Freeman, L Smyth, G Burns, L Webber Subs: A Deeks (10,75), D Redman (8,67) M Phillips (Not Used), R Gurnett (3,80) Att: 180 (Estimated)
Minehead AFC - (Errea Somerset County Premier League) Page 9 The Wheelhouse Restaurant 27 The Avenue Minehead TA24 5AY Tel <strong>01</strong>643 818245 Offering good food at sensible prices, in a relaxed atmosphere. Now taking bookings for Christmas Parties.
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