GoCrea8 Premiership
Taunton Vale 1, Wotton-under-Edge 2

TAUNTON Vale men’s 1st XI hosted Wotton-under-Edge in their final game of 2017 in a crucial game in the battle for survival.

A cagey first half ended goalless and the visitors applied pressure from the restart, but were caught on the break and Karl Trunks fired home from the top of the D.

However, the home side could not hold onto their lead, as Wotton levelled with a well-worked goal.

Vale were dominating possession and winning short corners, but were themselves caught on the counter-attack to find themselves 2-1 down.

Goalkeeper Ewan Campbell had to make several superb saves but the away defence did similarly well, holding firm against waves of Vale attacks.

Vale sit bottom and needing a serious change of fortune in 2018, starting at home to Truro on January 13.

Conference South
Tavistock 5, Taunton Vale A 2

THE 2nds remain bottom of the Conference South standings and without a point after a 5-2 defeat at Tavistock.

The visitors were 1-0 down inside five minutes, and it was 2-0 by half time.

Vale came out fighting after the break and were quickly rewarded with a goal from young Alec Sprague.

But with the away side twice down to 10 men, some well-worked Tavistock short corners put them 5-1 ahead before a late Vale consolation.

Their last match of 2017 is on Saturday at home to ECV Hornets (1.30pm).

Central 1
Taunton Vale B 3, Bridgwater 3 

VALE took the lead in this mid-table clash after good interplay from Tom Tridgell and Tom Russell set up Colin Jewhurst, who finished well. 

Bridgwater netted an equaliser and then took the lead just before half time.

Vale went 3-1 down from a penalty corner, but showed great character in scoring two quick goals from Harry Stephenson and Tom Russell. 

This Saturday, Vale host Bristol University B (3pm).

South East 1
ECV Hornets A 8, Taunton Vale C 0

VALE C were well beaten by high-flying Exeter Hornets.

The visitors found themselves 5-0 down at the break and, though they improved, their hard work came to nothing in the final quarter.

Vale are looking for improvement this Saturday at East Devon B (1pm).

South East 2
Bridgwater C 6, Taunton Vale D 0

VALE’s Vikings were comprehensively outplayed by Bridgwater 4ths.

The visitors kept the ball well but struggled to penetrate the hosts’ defence, while Bridgwater seemed to be able to score at will.

Vale go to ECV Hornets B on Saturday (3.30pm).