MINEHEAD's fine home form continued, coming out on top with a 5-3 victory against newly promoted Ashmoor, in atrocious conditions on Saturday in South Division One.

With vice captain Swallow in charge following Watts's resignation the previous week, Minehead welcomed back Cox into a re-jigged midfield against a young skilful Ashmoor side.

Minehead quickly got into their passing game and took the lead in the driving rain as Strong wormed his way into the D to score from an acute angle. It was soon 2-0 to the home side as Knowlson dinked over the keeper after good work by Cox.

A rampant Minehead soon made it three, Weetch re-finding his goal scoring form to sweep in after Strong's break down the right.

Chances came and went for Strong and Gover before Ashmoor reduced the deficit after a defensive lapse allowed their skilful striker to dink in from an acute angle after an impressive run down the left.

As the away side committed men forward in search of a second, Swallow was forced into a couple of quality saves. After the breakdown of one such attack, Minehead broke down the left and the ball eventually came to J Bennett who had all the time in the world to pick his spot to restore Mineheads 3-0 goal cushion and end the half 4-1 ahead.

Minehead were caught cold going into the 2nd half and were guilty of conceding a number of short corners. Ashmoor clawed a goal back from one such set piece with a half volley catching the keeper by surprise. Ashmoor were quickly on the score-sheet again, Gover losing possession in the middle allowing a well-worked goal to peg the score back to 4-3.

Both teams now had chance, Ashmoor going for the equaliser and Minehead looking to kill the game off. Swallow made some fine saves to keep Ashmoor at bay and marshalled his defence of N Bennett, Hill and Francis well.

Zorab had a goal harshly ruled out for the home side, before a cross from Knowlson saw the foraging Weetch slot in from in close to make it 5-3.

There was still time for Ashmoor to hit the bar and draw a couple of saves from impressive Swallow between the sticks. Wood also had a chance to make it six after being put through by Jones but was denied by the opposition keeper. The game ended 5-3 to Minehead after a strong team performance that's bodes well for the coming weeks.

Britannia Inn Man of the Match: M. Swallow Minehead: M Swallow, N Bennett, J Francis, N Hill, G Cox, T Gover, K Knowlson, J Wood, S Heale, A Strong, J Weetch, subs: N Jones, J Bennett, Heale, J Zorab (all used)