Premiership

Taunton Vale 2 Firebrands 1

FOLLOWING recent poor results, Taunton Vale were looking for three points to secure their place in the Premiership going into the festive break.

Regional rivals Firebrands placed second in the league would prove to be tough opponents.

The match began with pass after pass from the home side, quickly stringing tens of passes together which Firebrands found difficult to deal with.

This forced a half court press from the travelling side, allowing Vale to transfer the ball across the pitch with ease.

Charlie Rutherford and Martin Johnson facilitated the in-roads to the Firebrands half.

Enjoying what felt like endless possession Vale flashed a pass past the Firebrands goalmouth - sensing the speed of the ball Elliot Foweraker thrust himself to the ground inside the near post converting the first goal of the match.

With the second goal of the match being so crucial, Firebrands came out of the second half traps hard and pressed high up the pitch, committing too many players forward.

They equalised, much to keeper Dickie Smith's consternation who then led by example shutting the away side out with an impressive triple save.

Vale began to cope with the high press and upgraded their attacking D entries into short corner opportunities.

Up stepped Karl Trunks, who seductively placed the ball above the keeper's shoulder.

Soaking up the pressure Vale managed to see out the game in possession once again and showed that a simple team performance would begin to pay back to the debt they have created from less hard fought games earlier in their league campaign.

Avery important 2-1 win for Taunton Vale .

Conference South

Plymouth Uni 1 Taunton Vale 2nds 1

VALE travelled to Plymouth for the top-of-the-table clash and had to soak up early pressure.

The defence was resolute throughout with an outstanding performance by man-of-the-match Sam Rixon in the centre of defence.

However, Plymouth took the lead with a short corner before the break.

Vale pushed forward in the second half and their equaliser finally came from a short corner; the ball put away by skipper Steve Rybaruk lurking at the back post.

Plymouth pushed for the win in the last minutes if the game but Vale were steadfast and the game finished with a fair 1-1 draw.

Vale maintain their lead going into the Christmas break.

Southern 2

Exeter University E 0 Taunton Vale B 2

AFTER losing the first game of the league season to the university at home, the Men’s third eleven were keen to get revenge as first played second.

Vale keeper Miles Cave made a number of good stops in the opening stages but they looked dangerous on the break with Harry Whittle going close.

It took a piece of magic from Richard Stock to get the breakthrough as he used his pace to beat the Exeter defence and calmly slotted past the Exeter University keeper.

Vale began to gain more of a foothold in the second half and a flowing move from Vale was finished by Whittle with a fine first touch shot.

The last ten minutes saw Vale remain calm defending wellk.

Men of the match – joint - Rich Stock & Ed Whittle.

South-East One

Vale C 7 Minehead A 3

THE first half was frantic, both teams working hard, closing down quickly and protecting the ball.

Dave Tarr opened the scoring for Vale and Stuart Morling added another after good work from Adam Pleeth.

However, Minehead reduced the arrears but Dave Cole restored the two-goal lead.

Undeterred, Minehead closed the gap again before Tarr scored his second just before the break.

Minehead again hit back just after the restart but then Vale's fresher legs paid dividends as Tarr completed his hat-trick and Pleeth and Morling made sure of the points.

Somerset KO Cup Quarter-Final

Taunton Vale 6 City of Bath 5

VALE hosted City of Bath for the second time in a few weeks, this time for a performance development match.

Vale sported a side that included players from all five men's squads.

Bath took an early lead but Vale soon equalised then went ahead before Bath hit back.

Vale, however scored against to hold the advantage at half-time.

In the second half, Vale started with a flourish, racing into a 5-2 lead.

Bath again reduced the arrears before Vale scored a sixth from open play.

With minutes remaining, Bath closed to within a goal but Vale hung on to go through and earn a home draw against North Somerset .