Verde Recreo Men’s League

Championship

West Wilts 1, Taunton Vale 4

TAUNTON Vale men’s 1sts travelled to Warminster for what they anticipated would be a tough game.

The visitors started quickly and were soon creating opportunities, but they were profligate in front of goal.

Despite dominating the half and the opposition not having a shot at goal, Vale went into half time level.

In the second half, Vale continued to move their opponents around and did not have to wait long for a breakthrough, as good combination play from Martin Johnson and Tom Evans released Ross Hardwick, who hit a reverse for Liam Pigden to score a diving finish on his first game of the season.

As Vale chased a second, West Wilts mounted a sharp counter-attack and equalised.

Yet the away side did not panic and restored their lead as Evans snuck into the D and shot wide, only for Pigden to put the chance away once again.

Vale were in the ascendancy and were soon 3-1 up, as Karl Trunks dispatched a penalty flick.

They then put the game to bed as Henry Ormrod dribbled into the D and put the ball on the back post for Ethan Williams to bravely put away.

Man of the match: Danny Sopp

On Saturday, Vale host Cardiff & Met A (noon) in a top-of-the-table clash.

Southern 1

Taunton Vale A 2, Okehampton 0

VALE’S 2nd XI were determined to keep Gipsy Lane as their fortress and managed a solid performance, resulting in a 2-0 victory over Okehampton.

The hosts started well, retaining the ball and putting pressure on the opposition’s goal, which paid off with a short corner, converted by Andy Stevenson.

Both teams had good amounts of possession but Vale were able to convert their pressure into another short corner, which was calmly slotted home by Luca Maxwell into the bottom corner.

The second half was well balanced, with both teams having several opportunities, but there were no more goals.

Ned Aspden and Richard Edwards, having made the step up from the 3rds, both had tremendous games.

Man of the match: Ned Aspden

Central 1

Bridgwater 4, Taunton Vale B 1

THE 3rds made the short trip to Bridgwater to take on their unbeaten 1st XI.

Vale made a dreadful start and were unable to put two passes together for the first 10 minutes, Bridgwater taking the lead through a penalty corner.

Vale began to improve and equalised through Paul Bottomley’s near post penalty corner deflection.

It was 1-1 at the break but the second half saw the hosts raise their game as Vale began to tire.

Bridgwater broke through the Vale defence to beat goalkeeper Ed Peachey and retake the lead.

Vale were still carving out chances but were unable to finish, while Bridgwater scored again through a deflection and added a fourth just before full time.

South East 1

Taunton Vale C 2, Chard A 0

A FEW new faces (and some old) were fielded against a familiar Chard A team.

Stand-in captain James Dakin demanded a strong start, and a goal from John Pike rewarded Vale’s early pressure.

The second half continued in the same vein, with James Heb and Mark Lecompte controlling midfield, and after a succession of short corners, Dakin made it 2-0.

This was a fine team performance, especially from players who were unfamiliar with each other.

Arvid Sabel showed great promise at left-back.

South East 2

Taunton Vale D 3, Teign A 1

THE 5th XI took on Teign A on a sunny Saturday morning at Heathfield School.

The visitors dominated a lacklustre Vale early on, and deservedly went ahead.

But the hosts then found some rhythm, and equalised when a weak effort from Edd Waterman somehow crept in.

Vale side were much better in the second half, and Waterman scored a brilliant second from the edge of the D.

Goalkeeper Andy Criddle made several crucial saves to retain the lead, before Oskar Hinds scored to seal it.

Man of the match: Andy Criddle

South East 3

Taunton Vale E 4, Ashmoor C 1

VALE E continued their unbeaten start to the season and made it five wins from five to retain top spot.

Despite falling behind early in the match, Vale rallied and levelled through a piledriver from Brian Louis.

Ross Smith continued his fine goalscoring form and netted a brace, while a debut goal from young James Priddle capped a great performance as Vale cruised home.

Man of the match: Andrew Donovan

****

TAUNTON Vale ladies 1sts’ fine form shows no sign of stopping, as they beat Firebrands 2-1 on Saturday.

Having lost their first five games, Vale now have three wins in a row, and they’re up to sixth in the Premier Division 1 standings.

This Saturday’s fixture looks to be a real test, though, as they travel to league leaders Team Bath Buccaneers (12.30pm).

Vale ladies 2nds picked up a fine 1-1 draw away to second-placed Exeter University, to move off the bottom of the South Division.

The 3rd XI kept up their Sedgemoor Division 1 title hunt with a 3-1 win at ECVH, but the 4ths lost 9-0 at home to leaders Minehead.

In Sedgemoor Division 2, Vale 5ths lost 2-0 at home to pace-setters Weston-super-Mare 2nds, and the 6ths were beaten 4-0 at Taunton Civil Service 2nds.

****

TAUNTON Civil Service ladies 1sts, meanwhile, picked up a second consecutive win in the Central Division, easing past basement club Taw Valley 5-0.

The Civil Service men’s 1sts had their title hopes hit on Saturday, as they were held 0-0 at home by East Devon A in South East 1.

Their 2nd XI won 3-2 away to Sidmouth & Ottery B in South East 2.