Radstock Town's winless start to the Toolstation Western Premier League season continued at home to Brislington on Tuesday, August 14th, when a first-half defensive error gifted the visitors the only goal of the game.

Both had their chances in a competitive match, with Radstock looking the more likely to score as the second half wore on, but the Miners couldn't find a way through as they were confined to their second home defeat of the season.

On a summery night at Southfields Recreation Ground, Radstock Town began brightly against a well-organised Brislington side. Early exchanges saw chances at either end, with both teams using their pace and width to hit each other on the break. However, it was Brislington who struck first, taking advantage of a Carl Stone error in defence to take the lead after half-an-hour. Stone failed to clear the ball, lost possession and the resulting cross gifted Alex Lambert an easy tap-in.

Radstock started the second half brightly, looking to get the ball on the ground and use their pace down the flanks through wing backs, Luke Ingram and Jibari Ngozi. Radstock's early pressure led to a flurry of corners, efficiently dealt with by a well-organised Brislington defence. Brislington still had something to offer in attack, with the impressive Alex Lambert and Frank Gingell combining well to create chances of their own.

Midway through the second half, Radstock started to find their rhythm, pressing the Brislington midfield, denying them time and space on the ball. Radstock looked to have found a way back when Ngozi unleashed a thirty-yard wonder strike, which despite keeping low, could only graze the top of the crossbar. Dominating possession for the first time in the game, Radstock probed for a way forward, Luke Hailston, Joshua Reid, Omari Lindsei and Leroy Swaby interchanging positions effectively to try and unlock the Brislington defence.

In the final minutes, Radstock had their best chances to get something from the game. Swaby was combining well with Reid to release Hailston, who after making it to the byline, cut the ball back for the on-running Martin Lenihan, only to see his effort sail over the crossbar. Before the final whistle, Omari Lindsei connected with a Lenihan corner, but couldn't find the target after good work by the Brislington defence.

Radstock Manager, Ben Newby, can take some positives from the performance, impressive displays by Omari Lindsei, Joshua Reid and a late cameo from Leroy Swaby. However, it was right back, Luke Ingram, that caught the eye on a difficult night for the Miners, solid in defence and threatening in attack, Luke was awarded the Somer Valley FM Man of the Match.

Ian Nockolds