GoCrea8 Premiership
Taunton Vale 6, Whitchurch 3

HAVING claimed their first win of the season the previous week, Vale men’s 1sts entertained Welsh side Whitchurch last Saturday.

The more experienced visitors started much the brighter of the sides, causing all kinds of problems for Vale in the opening 15 minutes and taking a 2-0 lead.

However, the home side managed to sneak one back with a neat deflection by player/coach Elliot Foweraker, who was playing his first game of the season, following a superb spell in possession by the team.

Whitchurch restored their two-goal lead via a short corner, but defender Joe Morris’ fantastic strike made it 3-2 at half time.

The momentum was with the home side now, and they piled on the pressure after the break, levelling through Foweraker’s close-range finish.

Torsten Junker gave Vale the lead for the first time with his fourth goal of the season, and after some incredible improvisation from Danny Sopp following a messy short corner, George Retter made it 5-3.

Whitchurch lost their discipline and the hosts took advantage, striker Sam Young scoring to seal a 6-3 win after an end-to-end battle with a thrilling comeback.

Man of the match: Danny Sopp

This coming Saturday, seventh-placed Vale travel away to play Bristol University, who are third.

Conference South
North Devon 2, Taunton Vale A 1

VALE men’s 2nds are still without a win this season, having lost narrowly away to North Devon on Saturday.

The first half was an even affair, but the difference was that the hosts took their chances to move 2-0 ahead.

The away side gave themselves hope before half time, though, as Colin Jewhurst scored.

Vale dominated the second half in what was an encouraging performance, but could not break down the home defence.

Midfield dynamo Paul Hawkins saw his penalty stroke saved by the keeper, and North Devon held on to subject the visitors to a fifth straight loss – albeit with a performance that suggests there could be better to come.

Man of the match: Matt Osmant

Vale are at home to third-placed University of Exeter C this Saturday (1.30pm).

Central 1
Firebrands B 1, Taunton Vale B 0

THE men’s 3rd XI succumbed to a single-goal defeat in a spirited display against their Firebrands counterparts.

Vale started positively, but struggled to force the opposition keeper into action.

The hosts then grew into the game, seeing one shot deflected narrowly over and another deflected in to give them a half-time lead.

A change in formation from the visitors, and some fine saves from keeper Dickie Smith, prevented Firebrands adding to their lead, but there was to be no equaliser, with Harry Stephenson’s shot wide their best chance.

Men of the match: Toby Power and Dickie Smith

On Saturday ninth-placed Vale B entertain Mid Somerset, who are fifth (3pm).

South East 1
Taunton Vale C 5, Ashmoor B 1

VALE C hosted Ashmoor B, looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing result last week.

Some attractive hockey from the hosts brought goals from Andy Rogers, following a short corner, and James Duder, in open play.

Ashmoor looked dangerous, though, and they pulled one back after the interval.

But Vale rallied, taking a 4-1 lead as Andy Rogers and James Duder scored one more apiece.

Stuart Morling’s cool finish sealed a 5-1 victory, which sees Vale sit fifth in the table, three points off the top.

They are on the road this Saturday, away to 10th-placed Yeovil & Sherborne A (1pm).

South East 2
Taunton Vale D 3, Yeovil & Sherborne B 1

THE Vikings recorded their first win of the season in a proverbial six-pointer, as both teams were winless coming into the game.

A goal in each half from Roland Zwarteveen and a super strike from Ed Howard gave Vale the win they deserved, as man of the match Jon Pike inspired their attack.

On Saturday they host Minehead B, who are one point ahead of them (4.30pm).

***

GoCrea8 Central 2
South Glos 2, Taunton CS 3

TAUNTON Civil Service men’s 1sts are clearly getting to grips with life in Central 2, as the newly-promoted side earned their first point two weekends ago and their maiden win on Saturday.

They travelled to fifth-placed South Glos and twice took the lead thanks to goals from Felix Gaunt and Chris Cullum.

But they were pegged back twice by their hosts, and they looked set for a second successive draw until a last-minute goal.

A final foray into the South Glos D resulted in appeals for a short corner, but they were ignored by the umpire and Gaunt, who struck across the keeper and into the goal.

The final whistle was blown seconds later, and although CS remain bottom of the table, they are now just three points off fifth.

Man of the match: Felix Gaunt

This Saturday CS are at home to second-placed Chippenham A (noon).

South East 2
Taunton CS A 2, West Dorset A 0

CIVIL Service men’s 2nds picked up their second win from their first five games on Saturday, at home to West Dorset A.

The home side began with only 10 players due to a late arrival, but still took the lead thanks to a good finish from a tight angle by Bill Horner.

It remained 1-0 through to half time, as the hosts’ defence stood strong to repel West Dorset pressure.

More chances came CS’ way after the interval, and Mark Sawyer rounded off a fine team performance with a second goal.

Men of the match: James Coles, Steve Grenfell and Conor Neal

CS A, seventh in the table, are on their travels on Saturday, away to 10th-placed Sidmouth & Ottery B (1.30pm).