With the first half of the season virtually over - except for a few rain-affected games - football reporter Merv Colenutt has taken the opportunity to pick his team of the season so far from the Mid Somerset sides.

Goalkeeper -Tom Punchard (Street): Despite carrying a couple of injuries this season, Punchard has been producing the best form of his career. He has been consistently sound and a keeper who has the confidence of his back four – always a good sign of an outstanding goalkeeper.

Defender – Craig Mawford (Cheddar): Formally at Street, but Cheddar are now the beneficiaries of an outstanding wing back. Mawford can also play in midfield, but not only is he a strong tackling defender, he also has the ability to play the most accurate passes to all parts of the field and he is as consistent as anyone in the Western League this season.

Defender – Ben Amghar (Street): Without any shadow of a doubt the most outstanding and consistent local player in the Mid Somerset area in the last decade. Amghar is a rock at the heart of the Street defence and along the way has brought out the best in Tom Clifford-Jones and more recently Lee Begg. He is an excellent tackler, reads the game well, has the pace to track back and is a good header of a ball whether clearing his lines or attacking from set-piece corners. Amghar has had the ability for to go further up the leagues, but his loyalty has remained with Street.

Defender – Ross Mcerlain (Shepton Mallet): He has been Shepton Mallet's most consistent performer for some time. Formerly an outstanding midfield player, I always felt he would shape into a central defender having seen him play in that position for Wells City against Street around four years ago. Like Amghar, Mcerlain is a model of consistency, has the ability to spray the ball 50 yards with telling accuracy and can be dangerous from set pieces with his head – simply naturally gifted.

Defender – Olly Bryant (Wells City): Formally a midfielder, Bryant has been moved to left wing back by manager Mark Read and that has brought an amazing change of fortune for him. He has fitted into his new role perfectly and it comes as a major surprise nowadays if he doesn't pick up the man of the match award. He reads the game well, tackles firmly, but fairly, and is a constant threat moving forward. He also has that ability to drift into the opposition box and score goals. The most improved player on the local scene.

Midfielder – Mark Armstrong (Cheddar): Joined from Chard Town at the start of the season and has become a very influential part of a strong Cheddar midfield. Phenomenal work rate has helped Armstrong become a very important cog and his tackling is as strong as anyone in the league. He has great ability in turning defence into attack and as long as he remains fit, he could very well have a big bearing on whether promotion comes Cheddar's way this season.

Midfielder – Ben Cleverley (Shepton Mallet): He has the ability to turn a game on its head with one superb crossfield pass, something he has done for many seasons to Shepton Mallet's benefit. Cleverley's vision is second to none and although he has at times missed out through a back injury, he always has the ability to turn a game in a matter of seconds. It would be interesting to see how many assists over a season he provides. His set pieces from corners and goals from the penalty spot, make him such an important player at Shepton Mallet.

Midfielder – Matt Hurley (Street): A gifted individual who can turn on a sixpence in midfield and is very much in the same mould as Ben Cleverley. Hurley is still a very young player, but belies his years with an experienced head. His options are enormous as he spreads the ball into areas which defences at times find it difficult to cope with and the threading of his passes through the heart of any defence can unnerve defenders. He has also now added the scoring touch to his repertoire, making him a huge player for Street this season.

Midfielder – Keith Emmerson (Street): It was a massive lift for Street when Emmerson returned from Poole Town and he pulls so many strings for Street – simply a class act. He was forced to play at left back at Bitton because of an injury to Mark Randall and that has to be the only game where Emmerson has not influenced. The tough tackling midfielder is as good as anyone in the Western League and his vision at times is way ahead of so many others. His astute passing has been a major factor in the goals scored by both Steve Murray and Craig Herrod.

Striker – Lee Pitman (Wells City): He has an eye for goal like few others and has been a major part of Wells City's recovery after a couple of poor seasons. Pitman will need to keep on scoring if City are to maintain their challenge for promotion and there has to be a confidence going into the second half of the season. Like all strikers Pitman can have a quiet game, but he has maintained his scoring streak throughout the season and has always looked dangerous when in front of goal. He can also find the net from set-piece free-kicks, rarely missing the target.

Striker – Steve Murray (Street): Without doubt the success story of the season. Murray has been touted by so many sides this season, but has remained loyal to Street for good reason. Murray is part of a very good Street squad who are challenging for honours and with so many chances being created during most games, Murray is the king of scoring goals. With his pace and ability, goals come just as often around the edge of the opposition penalty area as they do inside it. He has always had the ability to score goals at any club, but to score in 16 successive games is quite unbelievable.