HOCKEY: Taunton Vale men's firsts defeat Westbury in GoCrea8 Premiership

TAUNTON Vale men’s 1st XI took on newly-promoted side Westbury under the lights in Bristol.

Vale have been showing promise in previous weeks so came into this game with confidence they could pick up some valuable points.

The rain and wind were in full flow, but Vale started the game well with Sam Young being denied a couple of times before finding himself one-on-one with the Westbury keeper and finishing very well on his reverse.

However, the home team hit back and poor defending from their opponents allowed them a tap-in before the half-time whistle.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were fairly even, but then the visitors struck, as Liam Pigden put them ahead again.

Vale stood strong and defended well, with Nath Dyte and Max Beale outstanding.

With 10 minutes to go, man-of-the-match Torsten Junker put Vale 3-1 up and he then sealed victory with another five minutes later, with their first three points of the season taking them up to eighth in the table.

Junker said afterwards: “The game was played in tough conditions but, with our spirit and work ethic, it was never in doubt.”

Conference South
Taunton Vale A 0, Yeovil & Sherborne 3

VALE entertained Yeovil & Sherborne on Saturday and played out a goalless first half.

The difference was that Yeovil took their chances in the second half, with two penalty corner goals and an outfield finish, whereas Vale didn’t take their opportunities, including one effort that hit the post.

Yeovil therefore ended 3-0 winners – handing Vale a fourth straight loss to keep them at the bottom of the standings – although the match was a lot more even than the scoreline would suggest.

Central 1
Taunton Vale B 0, Clifton Robinsons 1

DESPITE losing 1-0 to table-topping Robinsons, Vale B can hold their heads high, with a very spirited performance in an extremely hard-fought match.

Half-term and selections higher up the club left the thirds with a much-changed side from last week and the team took time to settle.

As a result, Robinsons took the lead.

Vale started to find their rhythm, but were still reliant on keeper Dickie Smith and Tom Evans in repelling Robinsons’ potent attack.

With half time approaching, Vale had their first decent opportunity, following a lovely end-to-end move, and Liam Elliot was unlucky not to level the scores.

Captain Tom Tridgell’s positive half-time talk was heeded and the second half was much more even and open.

Vale managed to carve out a couple of chances but the defence and goalkeepers on both sides produced superb goal-line clearances to thwart each other.

Joint man of the match: Smith and Evans

South East 1
University of Exeter F 8, Taunton Vale C 0

A LATE journey to Exeter University through Storm Brian did not bode well for Vale.

Things went from bad to worse, with five goals conceded before half time, due to good attacking play from the University side.

After the break, Vale played much better hockey with Arthur Whittle and Tom Holloway putting in notable performances.

University scored a further three goals to run out comfortable victors, and now have four wins from four.

For Vale, this was their first defeat, and they sit in sixth place.

South East 2
East Devon C 4, Taunton Vale D 1

VALE men’s 5ths were defeated on their travels against a table-topping East Devon side full of confidence.

East took the lead inside two minutes but Vale hit back to equalise after Dan Lowe slipped a cracking ball into Edd Waterman, who beat the last defender and coolly finished past the keeper.

However, East were two goals up at the break and added two more in the second half.

Ned Aspden’s spectacular reverse stick into the top corner was unfortunately chalked off in the latter stages of the game.

Man of the match: Paul Lewis

***

West Clubs Women’s League
Premier Division 1
Lydney 4, Taunton Vale 0

VALE ladies 1sts have one win and five defeats from their six games, after losing 4-0 at sixth-placed Lydney.

Vale now sit third bottom.

Central Division
Taunton Vale 3rds 2, Old Bristolians 3

THE ladies 3rds are still without a point in the Central Division, after being edged out by Old Bristolians, who are fifth.

South Division
Exeter University 3, Taunton Vale 2nds 2

VALE 2nds are fourth in their league, after another close defeat – away to second-placed Exeter University.

Sedgemoor Division 1
Taunton Vale 4ths 0, ECVH 3

VALE were met with an onslaught of great team play from the travelling ECVH, and were 3-0 down within 15 minutes.

The hosts managed to regroup and stem the flow, and after half time they were able to match the Cullumpton side.

Forwards Talia Bird and Sophie Walker took the game to the opposition, and the Taunton team did have scoring opportunities, but luck was not on their side.

Vale – now in sixth – learned some valuable lessons from the game, and there were strong displays from keeper Laura Chapman, winger Ellie Booth and ‘Queen of the game’ Ellie Wood.

Sedgemoor Division 2
Taunton Vale 5ths 0, White Eagles 2nds 2

THE 5ths were beaten at home by table-topping White Eagles 2nds.

That leaves them ninth, with four points.

***

GoCrea8 Central 2
Taunton CS 1, Bristol University C 1

TAUNTON Civil Service men’s 1st XI picked up their first point of the season, thanks to a draw at home to Bristol University 4ths.

The hosts went ahead courtesy of a short corner routine that was finished off by Chris Cullum.

The away side levelled in the second period, and the teams shared the spoils.

Will Hopkins was voted man of the match for another solid defensive display.

***

Sedgemoor Division 1
Sidmouth & Ottery 2nds 1, Taunton Civil Service 1

LEAGUE leaders Taunton Civil Service ladies 1sts were held to a 1-1 draw at second-bottom Sidmouth 2nds on Saturday.

Despite another goal for the on-fire Tash Hole, CS captain Charlotte Stone was disappointed to see her side’s performance dip, following their four straight wins at the start of the campaign.

The result means that the Sedgemoor 1 table-toppers’ advantage over second-placed Minehead and third-placed Yeovil & Sherborne 2nds is three points.

DRIBBLE: MINEHEAD 2nds’ Jodie Wallace (right) on the ball against Taunton Civil Service, as Naomi Trunks (left) looks on. Pic: Steve Richardson

Sedgemoor Division 2
Taunton CS 2nds 2, Minehead 2nds 2

THE ladies 2nd XI earned their second point of the season at home to Minehead 2nds.

Poppy Pring scored twice for the hosts, and although both sides had late chances to win the match, strong defending meant that it finished honours even.

Lottie Vickery was awarded player of the match for the home side, who remain second bottom in the league standings.

***

Sedgemoor 1
Minehead 1st XI 7, Weston-super-Mare 2

MINEHEAD Ladies first team had a great win against Weston-super-Mare in their league match on Saturday.

It was a strong team performance from the start and the hard work from midfielders Libby Chambers, Briony Smith, Hannah Sparks and Artemis Clark ensured Minehead had a dominant first half.

The first goal was created by Vics Perkins with a run down the right and a neat pass to Sparks in the centre of the circle, finished by a perfectly-placed Denise Lancaster on the right goalpost.

The second goal came soon after through Zoey Cape on the left wing, who hit over the keeper.

Minehead made it 3-0 when a convincing shot on goal caught Clark’s stick by the right post, slotting it neatly into the net.

The relentless attack went on to gain multiple short corners, from which Lancaster scored another two goals.

The second half saw possession turn over quickly and, after a few close encounters, Weston pulled one back.

However, with the experienced defence of Carol Matravers, Hazel Binding, Tracey Bailey and Janice Weetch in goal, the ball made it swiftly up the pitch back into the attacking half.

A neat through ball from Sparks found Lancaster poised on the right goal post, to increase their advantage to 6-1.

Nearing the end of the second half, Weston were determined to fight back and they secured their second goal.

Minehead responded soon after by working their way tactfully around Weston’s defence and finalised the game with a conclusive result.

The Julian’s Laundry joint players of the match were Hannah Sparks, Vics Perkins, Denise Lancaster and Artemis Clark for their scoring and consistent opportunistic play.