Minehead lost 1-0 to possible title contenders Langford Rovers 2000 at The Recreation Ground on Saturday.

The deciding goal was a 50th minute, wind-assisted 35 yard free kick taken by Kyle Havard.

For the first ten minutes of the encounter it looked as if the free-scoring Weston-based side would be comfortable winners, applying pressure on the Minehead defence from the start.

Debutant goalkeeper Connor Sidley-Adams was called into action after five minutes, saving well from a long shot from midfielder Havard.

A few minutes later striker Levi Marlow who scored a hat-trick against the Blues earlier in the season, shot wide from just outside the box.

However Minehead gradually seemed to come to terms with the conditions and following a good move Luke Freeman shot over the crossbar.

With the home side starting to gain an element of control of the game, Richie Binding headed inches wide of the far post with the visiting keeper well beaten.

Minutes later a Guy Burns shot was deflected just wide for a corner.

On the half hour Sidley-Adams saved a header from Marlow then Leigh White wasted a good chance by blasting over the crossbar.

The closest either side came to opening the scoring was when Jack Page beat Jamie Crandon in the Langford goal but saw his firm right footed shot come back off the foot of the post and was cleared away to safety.

Five minutes into the second half Havard sent a 35 yard free kick into the danger zone and the ball appeared to be guided by a gust of wind over Sidley-Adams and into the roof of the net.

Minehead rallied hard to get back on terms and after Leigh White was booked for the visitors Luke Freeman’s shot was comfortably held by Crandon.

Captain Mike Mullen then ventured forward and after beating two defender saw his fierce shot from 30 yards bounced back off the goalkeeper’s chest.

Mullen was the quickest to respond, beating two defenders to the rebound, and slammed a shot goalwards from just inside the penalty area only to see it hit the top of the crossbar.

After Stefan Phillips had picked up a yellow card for handling the ball, a crude challenge which brought down Burns result in nothing more than a free kick for the Blues.

Goalkeeper Jamie Crandon then kept his side in front when he managed to somehow block a goalbound shot from Page.

With tempers starting to fray, Burns was booked and though Minehead brought on substitute Harry Scatchard to replace Page, the visitors just did enough to keep the Blues at bay and claim all three points.

Minehead: C Sidley-Adams, C Newbold, L Smyth, P Smyth, M Mullen (c), R Binding, S Phillips, J Page, G Burns, N Phillips, L Freeman.

Subs: H Scatchard (8, 80mins), J Browning, Craig Carr, M Cracknell (Not Used)