SCREWFIX FIRST DIVISION: CALNE banished the memory of last Saturday's eccentric draw at home to Weston St Johns with a comfortable win against strugglers minehead.

Returning striker Glenn Armstrong, who is back after an unsuccessful spell with Swindon Supermarine, and new signing Gary Banks both grabbed goals as the new front partnership tore the hosts apart.

Calne were ahead after six minutes, when Ryan Pratley burst clear, down the left and shot on goal but keeper Sam Jordan blocked and left Kris Beesley with an easy tap in from eight yards out.

Minehead recovered and put Calne to the sword for a spell with keeper Dave Hunt tripping over Shaun Pople's driven free-kick and Kris Beesley clearing an Andy Hall chip off the line.

But Calne counter-attacked and on 20 minutes Ryan Pratley's cross field pass allowed Gary Banks to beat the Minehead line and he raced through to grab his third goal in two games.

Calne's youngsters were now in confident mood, with the veterans Robbie Lardner and Chris Jones leading the way with ample verbal direction and Lardner should also have led with a couple of goals too, after he failed to convert the passes from James Lye and Armstrong.

Calne continued in the same vein in the second half as Minehead battled to get back in the game but couldn't half Calne's swift attacks.

On 52 mins Darren Smart stormed forward from his defensive duties and swapped passes with Banks before unleashing a low skimming show from 25 yards which just shaved the wrong side of the Minehead post.

The points were then sealed on 59 mins when Banks' neat flick set Armstrong free on goal and he was upended in the box, but picked himself up to strike home the spot kick.

Minehead's best chance of the second half saw Luke Taylor's shot from wide on the left cleared off the line by Ryan Pratley on 71 mins.

Calne scored their best of the day on 85 minutes when Beesley made the space for Armstrong to deliver an overhead crossfield pass to James Lye 20 yards out in acres of space and he drilled in a sweet left foot finish.

Manager Kelvin Highmore was relieved to get the win after seeing his side throw away a two-goal half-time lead at home to Weston by conceding three goals in four minutes.

"When we were 2-0 I was heading to the bar. At half-time I didn't know what to say to them because whatever I said last week didn't work,'' he said.

"But they responded magnificently in the second half and we thoroughly deserved the win. It was great to come back with three points after scoring four goals away from home and keeping a clean sheet.''

Highmore is away in Cumbria undergoing rehabilitation work on a cruciate ligement injury he received in 1991. But the agony of pysiotherapy and long walks across the freezing countryside has been eased by the knowledge he has such a potent front pairing.

"Glenn and Gary Banks were superb on Saturday, their movement was fantastic considering they had never played together before,'' he said.

"I was pleased to get Glenn back. I don't know why it didn't work out at Marine and I don't really care. I am just glad he is back with us again.

"He wasn't really getting in the side there and when Tommy Saunders left last week he came back to us.''

Calne were due to play at Westbury on Wednesday night and travel to Chard on Saturday.

Defender Darren Smart will be unavailable and Highmore is expecting a tough time.

"They have put together soem good results and they will be a real test for us,'' he said.