GoCrea8 Premiership
Cardiff University 8, Taunton Vale 1

FOLLOWING a promising performance the week before, Vale men’s 1sts faced an in-form Cardiff University on Saturday.

The visitors struggled to find any kind of rhythm or control, and were soon 2-0 down.

Vale were absorbing pressure and began to play some better hockey, but every time they started to look dangerous, Cardiff would defend well and counter-attack, to lead 4-0 at half time.

The goals kept flowing for the clinical hosts, though Vale made it 6-1 through Elliot Foweraker’s close-range finish.

The students added two more to finish the game, and Vale look to end a run of four defeats at home to Firebrands this coming Saturday (1.30pm start).

Conference South
Taunton Vale A 0, Firebrands A 8

THE men’s 2nds also conceded eight, at home to league leaders Firebrands A.

There were periods of fluency and dominance for Vale, but they could not convert any of their chances, while Firebrands were ruthless and clinical.

It was an afternoon to forget for Vale, as they remain rooted to the bottom of the division; this Saturday they go to eighth-placed Shepton Mallet (1pm).

Central 1
Taunton Vale B 4, Somerset Gryphons 3

THE 3rd XI claimed their second win of the season by beating Somerset Gryphons in an exciting game at Gipsy Lane.

Vale started positively, with Colin Jewhurst converting a penalty flick given for a foot on the line, but the visitors equalised almost immediately.

Vale continued to press, and were rewarded for their efforts when Dave Tarr netted from a cracking reverse stick shot, and it was 2-1 at half time.

After the restart, Jewhurst got his second from a tight angle after good work from Mark Aspden and Tom Tridgell.

Gryphons roared back to make it 3-3, but in a frantic final 10 minutes Jonty Lawford snatched the winning goal.

Man of the match: Mark Aspden

Vale travel to City of Bath A on Saturday (noon).

South East 1
Minehead 9, Taunton Vale C 0

VALE men’s 4ths travelled to Minehead, who were sitting at the top of the table having not lost a match.

They were not in danger of tarnishing this record on Saturday, putting nine past the visitors.

There were patches of good play from Vale, and the scoreline perhaps didn’t reflect the overall performance, but all credit goes to Minehead – a strong attacking force who look likely to stay in top spot.

Notable Vale performances came from Tom Howard, playing out of position in defence, Andy Criddle, who made many fine saves in goal, and man of the match Andy Rogers at centre back.

This Saturday they host Tiverton (11.30am).

South East 2
Taunton Vale D 1, Taunton CS A 5

THE 5th XI took on a particularly strong Taunton Civil Service A on Saturday, and conceded four goals in 15 minutes.

Vale found some rhythm thereafter, and Charlie Morris pulled one back, but their local rivals wrapped it up with another goal in the second half.

Man of the Match: Ned Aspden.

They go to Sidmouth & Ottery C on Saturday (2pm).

***

TAUNTON Vale ladies 1st XI moved closer to the security of mid-table in West Clubs Women’s League Premier 1, as a 2-1 success at home to Isca 2nds gave them a third straight win to sit seventh.

Vale 2nds went fourth in the South Division by winning 3-1 at Okehampton, and the 3rds got their first win of the season in the Central Division – 2-1 at home to Taw Valley.

The ladies 4ths lost 7-1 at table-toppers Minehead in Sedgemoor 1 (Ellie Booth scoring their consolation goal, and youngster Lucy Wray being player of the match), and the 5ths were beaten 2-0 at Sedgemoor 2 leaders Chard.

Women’s fixtures
Premier 1 - Clifton Robinsons 2 v Taunton Vale (1.30pm)
Central Division - Weston-super-Mare v Taunton Vale 3 (11.30am)
South Division - Taunton Vale 2 v Exe 3 (3pm)
Sedgemoor 1 - Taunton Vale 4 v Taunton C.S. (10am)
Sedgemoor 2 - Taunton C.S. 2 v Weston-super-Mare 3 (1.30pm); Taunton Vale 5 v Taw Valley 2 (4.30pm)

***

West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Minehead 7, Taunton Vale 4ths 1

MINEHEAD continued their winning ways last Saturday, at home to local rivals Taunton Vale.

Two short corners led to goals from the free-scoring Vics Perkins, giving Minehead a 2-0 lead at half time.

But it wasn’t all one-way traffic, with some great defending from the Minehead backline and a couple of useful saves by keeper Jan Weetch.

An excellent goal soon after the restart gave Perkins her hat-trick, as Minehead put together some strong attacking moves.

More short corners kept the pressure on Vale leading to a further goal by Dee Lancaster.

Three more goals followed, from Zoey Cape, Lancaster (her second) and Artemis Clark.

The visitors never gave up and continued to pile on the pressure, but Minehead’s hard-working defence restricted them to one consolation goal.

‘Valiant Soldier Player of the Match’: Zoey Cape and Vics Perkins.

Minehead squad: Jan Weetch, Tracey Bailey, Carol Matravers, Sue Garwood, Georgia Perkins, Hazel Binding, Hannah Sparks, Briony Smith, Vics Perkins, Dee Lancaster, Zoey Cape, Artemis Clark, Jess Koppa.

The win keeps Minehead top of the Sedgemoor 1 standings, and this Saturday they go to seventh-placed Burnham-on-Sea (10am start), for their final game before the Christmas break.

Minehead ladies 2nds were without a match last weekend, but this Saturday they are at home to Bridgwater 2nds (10.30am), who are one point and one place ahead of them in the Sedgemoor 2 standings.

***

MINEHEAD men’s 1st XI continued their impressive form in GoCrea8 South East 1, as they put nine goals past Taunton Vale 4ths without reply at home on Saturday.

Having beaten fellow high-fliers Tiverton 8-0 the week before, Minehead sit top of the table, two points clear of University of Exeter F, ECV Hornets A and Tiverton.

This coming Saturday sees them travel to fifth-placed East Devon A (2.30pm).

Also in South East 1, Minehead A were beaten 6-3 at Tiverton to sit ninth in the standings.

They host University of Exeter F on Saturday (1.30pm).

And South East 2 side Minehead B also lie in ninth spot, after a 7-1 loss at home to league leaders Chard A last Saturday.

This Saturday they go to Taunton C.S. A, who are fourth (noon).