Somerset Division 1W
Minehead 8, Congresbury 1

A LIGHTNING strike by Damion Redman after just nine seconds set the trend as Minehead showed little mercy to their basement visitors at Irnham Road on Saturday.

The goal is believed to be the ninth fastest ever recorded in the UK and came in quick-fire time, despite Congresbury kicking-off.

Picking up where they left off against Highbridge’s destruction a fortnight ago, Minehead again looked likely to reach double figures. 

Tireless running from Redman’s ended up with his goal-bound attempt being blocked by over-worked keeper Danny Bullock’s legs but, minutes later, the equally energetic Smith powerfully headed home Aaron Ireton’s perfect cross via the underside of the crossbar to double the home score.

Bullock was then booked when the referee construed that his tackle outside the box to dispossess Matty Ronan contravened the rules, but the resulting free-kick came to nothing. 

With goalmouth action coming thick and fast, Harry Scatchard saw his penalty kick saved by Bullock, and the follow-up from the Blues playmaker was also blocked by Bullock, before being cleared. 

With Minehead carving through the Congresbury defence with every attack, it was then the turn of Smith and Ireton to combine well.

After Smith had beaten the last defender, the return ball saw him supply the perfect pass for Ireton to side-foot home from ten yards. 

With a minute of the first half remaining, Smith’s header halfway allowed Redman to race on to the ball and, having drawn Bullock out of his goal, set up the return ball up for Smith to slam home ferociously. 

Losing Ireton to injury at the start of the second half, the visitors may have hoped for some respite.

However, Minehead kept up the onslaught and substitute Guy Burns volleyed home Luke Bloys’ deep cross shortly followed by Smith claiming his hat-trick having once more been set up by Redman.

A perfect centre from another substitute, Matt Cracknell, enabled centre-half Chris Newbold to dive into the six-yard box and net the seventh.

Dan Parsons then expertly scored a consolation goal, but Minehead brought on top scorer Rob Vickers who converted the final goal from Luke Howell’s pass to complete the rout.

Man-of-the-match: Stefan Phillips.

Minehead: Nathan Sheehan, Callum Barnfield, Luke Bloys, Mike Mullen, Chris Newbold, Harry Scatchard, Matty Ronan, Aaron Ireton, Damion Redman, Max Smith, Luke Howells. Subs: Guy Burns, Matt Cracknell, Robert Vickers (all used), Sam Tarr.