GoCrea8 Men’s League
Premiership
University of Exeter 0, Taunton Vale 2

VALE’S 1st XI arrived at Exeter University with 12 players, knowing a win against a strong home team was required to avoid being cut adrift in their relegation battle.

They started brightly, dominating possession and threatening the Exeter goal, and the breakthrough came from their high pressing game, with Sam Young stealing the ball from the defender before passing around the keeper to Liam Pigden who scored from close range for the second straight game.

Vale continued to dominate and some quick thinking from captain Ross Hardwick led to a smart finish from Young, making the score 2-0 at half-time.

In the second half, Exeter threw everything at Vale, but solid defending from Martin Johnson, Max Beale, Nathan Dyte and Karl Trunks, and a strong display from keeper Miles Cave, gave Vale a clean sheet and the points.

This was a great performance from Vale, who now have some momentum going into a crunch clash at home to Westbury on Saturday at 5.30pm.

Supporters are very welcome to cheer the home team on.

Conference South
Taunton Vale A 1, Duchy 3

VALE 2nds put pressure on the Duchy goal for most of the half.

A well-worked short corner ended with Ben Hembrow scoring his first goal of the season to put Vale ahead.

Duchy quickly pulled it back, leaving the scores level at half time.

The Duchy team started the second half quickly but Vale soaked up the pressure, and then had more of the play, but could not score.

Duchy then grabbed two breakaway goals to win the game.

Man of the match: Ben Hembrow

This Saturday Vale go to Yeovil & Sherborne (1pm).

Central 1
Taunton Vale B 0, Westbury A 4

THE 3rds were disappointed to lose a match that was closer than the scoreline suggests.

In a tight first half, Vale had good chances but conceded two goals just before the break.

They knew the next goal would be decisive and so it proved as Westbury scored early in the half.

Tom Russell went close for Vale while young Tom Howard impressed on his third team debut, making a vital last-ditch tackle.

Vale continued to attack, leaving themselves vulnerable, and the visitors got another on the break.

Men of the match: Mark Lecompte, Tom Howard

They are away to Clifton Robinsons B on Saturday (1.30pm).

South East 1
Minehead A 2, Taunton Vale C 3

LOOKING for back-to-back wins, Vale C travelled to Minehead.

The first half brought many chances for Vale, a string of very good saves from the Minehead keeper and two breakaway goals against the run of play for the hosts.

Vale went into half time not knowing how they were 2-0 down, but they knew they had to improve the basics.

The first 20 minutes of the second half continued in a similar fashion, with Vale denied by either the post or the excellent goalkeeper.

The visitors finally broke through on the hour, with James Hebditch turning in a short corner, and just minutes later, Tom Carpenter crossed from the left and Freddie Wolfenden steered the ball in at the far post to equalise.

Then came a stunning piece of individual play, as Jon Pike collected the ball on the 22 yard line, rounded three Minehead defenders and scored just inside the post.

It was an incredible comeback, with credit going to the whole team.

Man of the match: Jonathan Jackson

Vale host University of Exeter F on Saturday (3pm).

South East 2
Sidmouth & Ottery B 2, Taunton Vale D 1

FOR the second week in a row, the Vikings didn’t get what they deserved, falling to defeat after taking the lead.

Vale were full of energy and good pressing, and they caught the home team on the break to take the lead through Dan Low’s deflected close-range strike.

However, a scrambled equaliser and breakaway goal saw the hosts take a 2-1 lead into the half-time break.

Vale had the better chances in an end-to-end second half, but for all their efforts they couldn’t find an equaliser.

Man of the match: Jon Pettitt

The 5th XI entertain East Devon C this Saturday (1.30pm).

***

TAUNTON Vale ladies 1sts were beaten 3-0 at home by Premier Division 1 high-fliers Exe on Saturday.

The 2nd XI lost 7-1 at Falmouth and the 3rds were beaten 2-0 by visitors Mendip.

The heavy defeats continued down the leagues, with Vale 4ths defeated 7-1 by Mid Somerset and the 5th team losing 6-1 to ECVH 2nds.

***

TAUNTON Civil Service men’s 1sts are bottom of Central 2 after a 4-1 defeat at home to North Wilts on Saturday.

The club’s 2nd XI, meanwhile, lost 5-3 at Bridgwater 4ths in South East 2.

Taunton CS ladies 1sts won a cracking game 8-5 against Burnham-on-Sea.

A rapid start from the hosts had them 3-0 up inside the first 15 minutes, but Burnham fought back and eventually levelled at 5-5.

CS ended the stronger, though, scoring three more to clinch it.

The result keeps them second in the Sedgemoor Division 1 table.