N4 Financial Solutions WESW Men’s League South-East 1: West Dorset 2, Taunton CS 1st XI 1.

CIVIL Service were pipped by the odd goal in a tight, hard-fought game.

The Civil goal came from an acute-angled strike from Paul Bond and further good work from the forwards was only foiled by some fine saves by the home keeper.

Both of the West Dorset goals came from penalty flicks, the second after full time following a short corner.

Civil man of the match was John Godfrey.

South-East 2: Taunton CS 2nd XI 8, Bridgwater 3rd XI 3.

CIVIL returned to winning ways and top of the league with this victory.

Three goals inside the first quarter effectively secured the win for the home side. Slips in concentration gave the visitors a couple of goals but they were never really in the game.

Some clinical finishing from Mark Sawyer secured him four goals with a hat-trick for Hugh Phillips from a typical forceful game on the right wing. The other CS goal came from Dippy Marshman.

South-Eastern District Two: Taunton CS 3rd XI 4, East Devon 4th XI 2 THIS was an excellent game played in good spirit by both sides.

Civil took the lead twice, were pegged back twice but then scored two quick goals to secure the win. Civil’s goalscorers included Connor Neal (on his open stick) and Kieren Teale, while Don Carter had a solid game in goal.

There were no Ladies fixtures at the weekend.

TAUNTON Vale Men’s 1st XI suffered a 4-1 defeat at home to Exeter University in Premier One.

N4 Financial Solutions WESW Men’s League South One: Tavistock 4, Minehead 2.

A HEAVILY depleted Minehead side suffered a shock 4-2 defeat at bottom of the table Tavistock.

Although missing seven of the first team squad, Minehead created plenty of chances but a combination of woeful finishing and good goalkeeping resulted in a frustrating afternoon for a Minehead side looking to record their third victory in a row.

Minehead started brightly and were unlucky not to go ahead when Nick Jones got on the end of Andy Strongs’ tantalising cross only to see his first time shot sail agonisingly wide with the keeper well beaten.

Tavistock took the lead against the run of play when a hopeful ball from the middle was pinged into the Minehead D where an opposition player deflected past the unsighted Swallow with a classy finish.

Minehead thought they had got back on level terms after good work by Jones and James Weetch created an opportunity for Jos Bennett who finished at the second attempt. Although the goal was initially given, after a lengthy discussion between the two umpires it was chalked off for a perceived foul in the build-up.

This seemed to unsettle Minehead who could have been further behind if not for a couple of smart saves from Swallow and Myles Jones miraculously deflecting a shot over his own crossbar.

Minehead continued to create chances with Weetch, Strong and Jones all going close and Josh Wood failing to beat the keeper when clean through on goal. With Minehead pushing players forward in search of an equaliser a Tavistock break away resulted in a short corner which was gratefully despatched.

The second half couldn’t have started better for Minehead with Strong scoring just after the restart after good work down the right. At 2-1 Minehead had found a way back into the game but this was soon to be undone after a crazy five-minute spell where the home team scored twice in quick succession from short corners, the first an own goal courtesy of a big deflection off captain Watts’ stick.

Even at 4-1 down Minehead were still creating plenty but the already difficult task was made even harder when Jamie Zorab went to the bin after receiving his second yellow in two matches.

Despite the player deficit Minehead pulled a goal back after Nick Jones’s pin-point pass from the by-line was despatched by Wood from the edge of the D.

With Tavistock getting nervy Minehead put the home teams goal under siege. Weetch missed when well set and Wood pulled his shot wide when it looked easier to score. Despite the late fightback Minhead failed to beat the opposition keeper.

Minehead will look to bounce back this weekend with a tough home fixture against second-placed Ottery Crickets.

Britannia Inn Man of the Match: J Bennett Minehead: M Swallow, M Jones, D Bowden, C Gibbons, J Bennett, R Watts, J Wood, J Zorab, A Strong, J Weetch, N Jones.