GRASSROOTS football made its long-anticipated return at the weekend, with the Britannia Lanes Taunton & District Saturday League among the competitions to resume.

After lockdown, there isn’t the time to complete the regular league fixtures, and so we have the ‘Covid Cup’ - five groups of seven teams - in their place.

Among the big winners were Fivehead Rovers, who won 6-2 at Staplegrove Crusaders, with Joe Wilkinson scoring four times.

Wellington Reds thumped Norton Fitzwarren Reserves 8-0, helped on their way by an Ashley Grist hat-trick, while Tom Wadham (2) and Jason Quick (2) played leading roles as Old Inn 98 defeated Porlock Reserves 6-3.

We had our photographer Steve Richardson at two matches - Middlezoy Rovers Athletic v Nether Stowey and Wembdon v North Petherton.

Middlezoy began their cup campaign with a 1-0 victory, with George Fretwell getting the only goal of the game.

Bridgwater Mercury:

HOME WIN: Middlezoy Rovers Athletic's Will Andrews (black/white kit)

Bridgwater Mercury:

JUMP: Nether Stowey's George Pike challenges the Middlezoy goalkeeper

Wembdon, meanwhile, cruised to a 4-0 home win.

Goals from Liam Gilbert (2), Joel Dunster and Cameron Wilkinson consigned Pethy to defeat.

Bridgwater Mercury:

GOALSCORER: Wembdon's Joel Dunster (blue kit) is challenged by North Petherton players Will Marchant and Pete Tame

Bridgwater Mercury:

CHASE: Tom Lealand of Wembdon is pursued by James Smith and James Woodrow

Bridgwater Mercury:

STRIKE: Wembdon's Kane Tucker, with Sam Turner and Louis Watts looking on