GoCrea8 Premiership
Taunton Vale 3, Firebrands 4

TAUNTON Vale men’s 1st XI hosted Firebrands in a vital game in their quest to remain in the division, with both sides on six points before the game.

The home side started well, adapting to new tactics, but after a miscommunication between Vale and the umpire, Firebrands had their first opportunity to score, taking full advantage with a brilliant reverse finish.

However, the hosts then pulled one back, as Karl Trunks found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finished well after a good initial save.

Vale defended stoutly, but couldn’t avoid conceding from a well-worked short corner.

They equalised again before half time, though, as Sam Young got on the scoresheet.

As the sun came beaming down into Vale’s faces, the visitors came out much faster and scored twice in 15 minutes to lead 4-2.

Vale had lost control and were now having to chase the game, but gradually put the pressure on Firebrands and won several short corners.

With 10 minutes to go, one of those short corners saw ‘Mr Consistent’ Jesse Mooney convert well from the top of the D.

The home side maintained the pressure for the remainder of the game, but could not find that important equaliser.

Friday brings a very tough task for Vale, as they travel to second-placed Plymouth Marjon (8pm start).

Conference South
Shepton Mallet 5, Taunton Vale A 1

THE men’s 2nds’ search for a first point of the season goes on, as they were defeated 5-1 at mid-table side Shepton Mallet.

A late bout of illness through the squad left them with a bare 11, but they more than held their own in the first half, creating chances but conceding from a short corner to go in at half time one down.

Defensive errors proved costly after the break, as Shepton stretched their lead to four goals, before dynamic youngster Toby Power pulled one back.

The visitors missed a penalty flick, and the home side scored once more to wrap it up.

Vale are at home to Plymouth Marjon A, who are currently second, on Saturday (1.30pm).

Central 1
City of Bath A 1, Taunton Vale B 3

VALE 3rds hauled themselves further clear of the bottom of the table with a second successive win, courtesy of a superb team performance against City of Bath.

They took the lead in a tight first half, after a well-worked short corner deflection from Tom Russell.

The hosts dominated the start of the second half and equalised, only for Vale to retake the lead through Colin Jewhurst.

Russell scored his second from Liam Elliott’s fine cross, and the visitors saw out the win, aided by some fine defensive work from Tom Evans and Ivo Maxwell.

They are on the road again this Saturday, away to fourth-placed Old Bristolians (12.30pm).

South East 1
Taunton Vale C 2, Tiverton 4

THE 4th XI hosted joint leaders Tiverton, and finished on the wrong end of a close encounter.

The home side put in a solid display but luck was not on their side when it really mattered, and the visitors won 4-2.

Vale’s goals came from Stuart Morling and James Hebditch, with youngsters Freddie Wolfenden and Tom Howard both impressing.

Vale are at home to East Devon A, who are three places above them, on Saturday (3pm).

South East 2
Sidmouth & Ottery B 2, Taunton Vale D 5

THE Vikings recorded their first away victory of the season to leapfrog their opponents for 10th spot (third from bottom in the table).

Man of the match Alistair Goodall was assured at the heart of the defence, while five different goalscorers – Ed Howard, Ed Waterman, Roland Zwarteveen, Jon Pike and Ned Aspden – secured the victory.

On Saturday Vale entertain fourth-placed Chard B (4.30pm).

***

Hockey Masters Over-45s Cup
Vale Plus 5, Clifton Robinsons 1

THE Somerset joint team of Taunton Vale and Minehead put on an impressive display in their cup match on Sunday.

The home side moved into a three-goal lead by half time, and saw out a 5-1 win.

The Vale Plus goalscorers were Dee Lancaster, Victoria Knight, Jan Reynolds, Helen Donovan and Jane Berry.

The Golden Gals now look forward to their quarter-final fixture in the national competition, with the finals at the Olympic Park in London.

Vale Plus: Jan Weetch, Carol Mattravers, Anne Balderstone-Dowds (c), Jane Berry, Becs McDonagh, Sally Pitkin, Victoria Knight, Hazel Binding, Bron Seeger, Jan Reynolds, Helen Donovan, Dee Lancaster, Elaine Gale, Ange Davis. Manager: Clare Hayes.

***

TAUNTON Civil Service ladies 1sts fought back from 2-0 down at half time to win the derby at Taunton Vale 4ths.

The 3-2 victory keeps them level on points with Sedgemoor Division 1 leaders Minehead, with their next league match on January 13, 2018.

The ladies 2nds went ninth in Sedgemoor Division 2 with a 9-0 thrashing of bottom side Weston-super-Mare 3rds.

They have one more match this year, away to third-placed White Eagles 3rds this Saturday (11am).

Civil Service men’s 1sts remain bottom of the Central 2 standings, having been beaten 6-3 at Weston-super-Mare.

The 2nd XI sit third in the South East 2 table, after a thumping 5-0 win at home to Minehead B.

This Saturday the 1sts host Bristol & West A (noon), and the 2nds go to Chard A (2pm).

***

MINEHEAD ladies 1sts travelled away to Burnham, and came away with another win of 5-2. 

A challenging start to the game, with cold and windy weather, saw Minehead 1-0 down early on, but strong defending kept the hosts to one goal, and after a quick break, Vicky Perkins managed to equalise for Minehead, by scoring through the keepers legs.

Burnham scored again, but a change in play from Minehead saw a goal opportunity at the top of the D, with a free hit that Hannah Sparks took full advantage of, passing wide to Dee Lancaster, who put the shot away on a tight angle for 2-2.  

With some attacking play in the Burnham half, sharp play resulted in a pass to Zoey Cape, who turned on the run and played the ball backwards past the keeper.

And it was 4-2 soon after, as Lancaster scored from a short corner, before Perkins' shot that dribbled over the goal line sealed the victory.

Julian's laundry Player of the match: Jan Weetch. 
Minehead: Jan Weetch, Tracey Bailey, Carol Mattravers, Sue Garwood, Hazel Binding, Hannah Sparks, Briony Smith, Charlie Woodman, Vicky Perkins, Zoey Cape, Dee Lancaster.