Somerset County League Division 1W
Combe St Nicholas 2, Minehead AFC 2

COMBE St Nicholas hosted high-flying Minehead on New Year’s Eve, and claimed a creditable draw given the seven places between the teams.

The fourth-placed visitors began strongly, and took the lead within 10 minutes.

Guy Burns was upended in the area, and Stefan Phillips beat Combe keeper Alex Cunold from the spot.

Both sides had efforts go close – Liam Riste lobbing narrowly over for the hosts, then Minehead’s Damion Redman beat Cunold to a loose ball but slotted wide of the empty net – before Combe levelled it up just before half time.

Riste was the man in the right place, capitalising on a defensive mistake to equalise.

In the second half, Redman missed a header when well placed, but Max Smith scored what looked like it would be the winner.

Undeterred, Combe pushed forward for one final attack, and when Riste’s effort came back off the crossbar, Jamie Barfoot reacted quickest to level from a few yards out.

The point sees Combe stay 11th, but they draw closer to Highbridge Town and Cleeve West Town above them.

Highbridge are the visitors to Combe this Saturday (ko 2pm) for what looks a key clash at the bottom of the table.

  • FELLOW Division 1W side Ilminster Town were without a game last weekend, but this Saturday they face league leaders Portishead Town Reserves (ko 2pm).