GoCrea8 Central 1
Robinsons B 3, Taunton Vale B 4

TOM Tridgell’s late strike saved Vale 3rd XI from relegation in a tense battle at Robinsons on Saturday.

Needing to win to stand any chance of staying up, Vale start positively and took the lead through Colin Jewhurst (his 20th goal of the season), but conceded an equaliser almost immediately through a penalty corner.

A swift break from Mark Aspden was converted by Jonty Lawford, but Robinsons levelled through another penalty corner strike for 2-2 at the break.

Robinsons dominated the start of the second half and keeper Martin Lawrence made a string of fabulous saves.

But Robinsons took the lead with 10 minutes remaining and Vale were heading for relegation – until a stunning turnaround, started when Calvin Bull bundled home with eight minutes left.

That set the stage for man-of-the-match Tridgell to step up with two minutes to go, sparking wild celebrations.

GoCrea8 Premiership
Firebrands 3, Taunton Vale 2 

VALE men’s 1sts went to Firebrands, with little riding on the game.

This was the last appearance for many of the Taunton boys, including player-coach Ian Haley who has given a lot to the club over the last few seasons.

Vale had a good first half and had enough chances to be out of sight, but only James Linehan found the net and Firebrands levelled by half time.

Early in the second half, the visitors paid the price for all their misses, as Firebrands went 3-1 up. 

Vale got one back from a clean reverse hit strike from Sam Young, but could not salvage the result.

In a season with a lot of ups and downs, Taunton have done well to end midway up the Premier Division table.

Some players are moving on, which means there are squad spaces available to new players next season.

Man of the match was Ian Haley for giving everything in his final game for Vale before moving abroad.

GoCrea8 Championship
Taunton Vale 2, Gloucester City 3 

VALE A took on Gloucester and the visitors were out of the traps quickly, scoring on the counter-attack.

Vale levelled through a well-worked goal from Paul Hawkins, but Gloucester scored off a short corner to lead at half time. 

The hosts equalised again through midfielder Josh Hancock, but although both teams pushed hard for a third, Gloucester won it in the dying seconds.

It has been a tough season for the men’s 2nds, ending in relegation, but their admirable team spirit throughout should help them next season with the aim to bounce straight back up. 

GoCrea8 Southern 2
Taunton Vale C 1, Bude 8 

VALE retained a lot of the ball early on and Tom Carpenter and Arthur Whittle were lively up front, but the pressure could not be converted into goals and Bude scored three goals in very quick succession.

A fourth followed later in the half but Vale pulled one back with a fine solo effort from man-of-the-match Carpenter. 

Bude dominated after the break and added four more goals.

Many positives will be taken into next year, with several junior players improving dramatically over the season. 

GoCrea8 South East 2
Chard A 2, Taunton Vale D 0 

VALE produced a spirited performance in the season finale at Chard A.

They ran third-placed Chard very close, the difference between the teams being that Chard took their chances. 

That said, it was very positive performance, which demonstrated how far this group of players has come over the last six months.

The fate of the team now hangs in the balance as they await the result of a rescheduled game – if Minehead B win or draw at West Dorset A, Vale go down.