GoCrea8 Premiership
Taunton Vale 2, Swansea University 1

TAUNTON Vale welcomed Swansea University for an important game at the bottom of the Premiership table.

Vale had a couple of late injuries that morning and therefore had to play a tactical game with a bare 11 to preserve energy due to the lack of substitutes.

This worked effectively, as they defended well and countered quickly.

Man of the match James Linehan finished a fine move brilliantly to give Taunton the lead, and the home defence and goalkeeper held off several Swansea attacks to stay ahead at half time.

The game continued to be an exciting spectacle for the supporters, with Swansea pressing but every turnover presenting a breakaway opportunity.

Eventually Swansea equalised, but it was not level for long, as ex-South African international Ian Haley worked his magic around two defenders before scoring with a fierce shot.

The lack of substitutes made for a nervy finale but Vale held firm in a true ‘team performance’ to take a vital win.

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GoCrea8 Championship
Ashmoor 5, Taunton Vale A 0
City of Bath 7, Taunton Vale A 3

THE seconds had a double header weekend, with league fixtures on Saturday at Ashmoor and Sunday at City of Bath.

Saturday saw a 5-0 loss, with only 10 players able to turn out.

Sunday brought a better display, albeit a 7-3 loss from 2-2 at half time.

Again the lack of substitutes took their toll in the second half as Vale ran out of puff. Sunday’s scorers were Jem Hulse (2) and Jesse Mooney (1).

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GoCrea8 Central 1
Taunton Vale B 3, Westbury A 3

THE third XI were involved in an exciting draw with a strong Westbury side, Calvin Bull putting the hosts ahead.

Vale doubled their lead when Bull’s reverse stick cross was finished by James Hebditch.

Westbury then pulled a goal back from a penalty corner but Colin Jewhurst smashed in for 3-1.

Westbury scored twice to level, but despite late pressure Vale were able to hang on for valuable point.

Joint men of the match: Calvin Bull & Colin Jewhurst.

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GoCrea8 Southern 2
Plymouth University 3, Taunton Vale C 0

MENS 4s travelled south to play Plymouth Uni 2s, with stand in skipper David Eaton-Jones in charge.

From the starting whistle Plymouth had the majority of the possession, but outstanding tackles from Andy Rogers and James Dakin kept the defence tight and the goal protected.

The Vale midfield played deep to make it hard for the students and it took until just before half time when finally there was a breakthrough, as Plymouth scored a well taken goal.

Vale could have snuck an equaliser with good chances for youngsters Toby Berry and Tom Carpenter.

From the start of the second half the game started to spread out with Eaton-Jones and Paul Bottomley bossing the midfield.

Bottomley in fact nearly equalised at the other end, but a good piece of tracking back saw the Plymouth centre-back scrape the ball off the line.

With an 11-man Vale tiring against a 15-man Plymouth, the hosts capitalised by scoring two in the later stages of the match.

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GoCrea8 South East 2
Dart A 0, Taunton Vale D 3

TAUNTON Vale 5th team played Dart A, knowing that they needed to win to if they were to stave off relegation fears.

The team started well and got their reward midway through the first half when junior player Freddie Wolfenden gave Vale the lead.

A second soon followed through a well worked short corner routine, scored by Mariusz Manaku.

The second half continued in the same fashion although goal keeper Josh Baker made some good saves to ensure Vale retained their two-goal lead.

Late in the second half, Vale scored a third, again through Manaku, and won the game 3-0.

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KING’s Schools, Taunton, have signed an agreement with Taunton Vale Hockey Club to become partners with the club until autumn 2019.

The deal aims to further improve facilities, training and national recognition.

For King’s Schools (comprising King’s College and King’s Hall Taunton) it shows commitment to local sport.

TVHC have more than 300 juniors training each week, and enjoy a reputation for developing international calibre players.

To find out more, contact Simon Hollington on 01823 272094 or simon@lepd.org.uk.