GOATACRE’S woes in WEPL Premier Two continued on Saturday as they fell to a seven-wicket defeat against high-flying Minehead.

It was the Wiltshire outfit’s first loss at Goatacre Lane this season and they continue to hang perilously above the two relegation spots currently occupied by Warminster and Cheltenham.

Totalling 171 all out off just over 42 overs, Goatacre were unable to handle Minehead’s reply and the visitors raced to the target with only 25 overs played of the innings.

It was a loss that left captain Brad Dawson is disappointed and frustrated mood.

“We’re just struggling really, it’s tough to take,” he said. “We changed it round again and it hasn’t fired, it’s just a nightmare.

“We got into a good position again at 130 with three or four wickets down and I played a pretty stupid shot and was bowled and it just went from there.

“A couple of lads weren’t exactly unlucky but it felt like it. Three of our batsmen were caught in the space of 10 overs and we just didn’t score enough runs.

“Then they had a lad (Ian Buchanan) come out and hit the ball as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.

“I think Minehead are exactly the same as what we were last year in that they have got momentum.

“We’re not far away from it. In one game it will click and go for the rest of the season, and a good run in the (Village) Knockout Cup might help us.

“We’ve got a better team than we had last year, it just hasn’t happened yet. I don’t want to speak soon, but I’m pretty sure we will stay up.”

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Goatacre were put in a tricky position early on.

While Wiltshire batsmen Ed Kilbee swiped 60, Ed Wilkins and Jack Haines could only manage single figures and the normally-reliable Rob Murphy was unable to put a single run on the board.

Toby Horton cracked six fours on his way to 34 before being caught by Matt Sully off the bowling of Dan Bowditch.

The rally continued in the middle order as Dawson (19) and Jif Wilkins (20) kept the scoreboard ticking over.

However, the lower order were unable to produce heroics and Minehead were ruthless in their reply.

Buchanan smashed 70 which included 10 fours, while Tom Wright (23) and Alastair Harrison (24) also weighed in. Matt Drakeley (five not out) finished off the job with James Weetch (34 not out).