Stogursey First welcomed Minehead AFC Reserves to Kingsdown Pavilion #1 on 19 October 2024 for a league encounter that kicked off at 2:30pm. The home side emerged victorious with a convincing 2-0 scoreline, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation throughout the match.
Stogursey lined up in a 4-2-1-3 formation, designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flair. Liam Temlett stood guard in goal, while a back four comprised of Mark Chapman on the right, Sean Marlow and Michael Watts in central defence, and Markus Bail on the left, formed a robust defensive unit. In midfield, Damian Brown and Daniel Glover operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attack. Journeyman played as the attacking midfielder, sitting just behind the front three of Jake Williams on the right, Tyler Reed as the central striker, and Charlie Bridges making his Stogursey debut on the left, all expected to exploit any gaps in the Minehead defence.
The substitutes for Stogursey included Ryan Kercher and Ben Campbell-Wallis, who would later be introduced to the fray as the match progressed.
The match began with Stogursey taking control early on, and it wasn’t long before they broke the deadlock. In the 6th minute, Journeyman opened the scoring with a well-executed team move, finishing off a clever flick assist from Markus Bail with his right foot. The early goal set the tone for the home side, who continued to press forward.
Just six minutes later, in the 12th minute, Stogursey doubled their lead. Charlie Bridges found the net with a composed finish from inside the box, again using his right foot. The home crowd erupted as the team established a commanding 2-0 lead within the first quarter of an hour.
As the match progressed, Minehead struggled to find their rhythm, with Stogursey’s defence remaining resolute. The first half concluded with Stogursey firmly in control, leading 2-0 at the break.
The second half saw Stogursey make a tactical substitution in the 55th minute, bringing on Ryan Kercher for Mark Chapman. This change aimed to bolster their defensive solidity while maintaining their attacking threat.
In the 66th minute, another substitution occurred as Ben Campbell-Wallis replaced Charlie Bridges, further demonstrating Stogursey’s intent to manage the game effectively while keeping fresh legs on the pitch.
As the match entered its final stages, tensions rose, and in the 83rd minute, a Minehead player received a red card for offensive language and gestures, leaving the visitors with ten men. This incident highlighted the frustration of the Minehead side as they struggled to cope with Stogursey’s dominance.
Despite the numerical advantage, Stogursey maintained their composure and saw out the remainder of the match without any further goals. The final whistle confirmed a well-deserved 2-0 victory for Stogursey First, with Markus Bail earning accolades for his standout performance throughout the encounter. The result not only solidified Stogursey's position in the league but also showcased their potential as a formidable force in the competition.
