HOCKEY: Taunton Vale and Taunton Civil Service teams in action

VALE men’s 1sts welcomed bottom of the table Cardiff & Met B on Saturday, aiming for their fourth successive win to start the season.

The hosts were soon on the front foot, with Cardiff allowing them possession and parking the proverbial bus.

Vale won several short corners early on, but were unable to convert, until Max Beale sniffed out a loose ball at the far post for his second goal this season.

Vale continued to push and scored a second just before half time, as a different set-piece routine resulted in Sam Young finding the net from close range.

Early in the second half Cardiff scored a well-worked short corner, but Vale responded well with Elliot Foweraker showing his prowess in the ugly zone to score with a reverse stick shot.

Vale’s fourth goal was majestic; Ivo Maxwell, Henry Ormrod and Ross Hardwick linked up perfectly, leaving Ethan Williams with a back post tap-in.

In the closing stages Vale put gloss on the scoreline as Martin Johnson sent a bullet drag flick into the bottom corner, and Andy Taylor forced a Cardiff defender into an own goal.

Men of the match: Tom Evans, Henry Ormrod and Matt Upham

This coming Saturday, Vale are away to Swindon (12.30pm start).

Southern 1
East Devon 2, Taunton Vale A 1

THE 2nd XI faced East Devon in a tough game in Exeter.

Vale were determined to continue the momentum from last week’s game and started well, retaining possession and looking dangerous in attack.

But then they were caught out on the counter-attack and went 1-0 down, only to level from a short corner before half time.

Vale began the second half in control, but could not take their chances, and another breakaway goal won it for the hosts.

Vale A are at home to PGSOB A this Saturday (noon).

Central 1
Chippenham A 2, Taunton Vale B 1

VALE 3rds travelled to Chippenham, looking for their first league points.

Vale started strongly, keeping possession on a challenging surface, with the forwards linking well .

They won a penalty corner, dispatched by Colin Jewhurst, the strike was disallowed for being too high.

Chippenham then scored the opener as Vale were slow to mark midfield runners, but the visitors equalised almost immediately after a fine run and finish by Kyle Wheaton.

The second half was an even affair, with both sides having chances.

Vale survived a flurry of penalty corner as goalkeeper (and man of the match) Ed Peachey repelled everything the Wiltshire men could throw at him.

The visitors then had another goal disallowed, for an adjudged foot, and at the end an aerial into the Vale D was not defended well, and a forward slotted in.

Vale host Westbury & UB A on Saturday (1.30pm).

South East 1
Taunton Vale C 0, Sidmouth & Ottery A 2

THE men’s 4th XI were slow out the blocks against Sidmouth & Ottery on Saturday, and went behind midway through the first half.

Vale worked hard, but Sidmouth made it 2-0 from a short corner to wrap it up.

Vale got to West Dorset on Saturday (2pm).

South East 2
Yeovil & Sh. B 3, Taunton Vale D 5

VALE D played at Yeovil & Sherborne B, and got off to a poor start following some ill-conceived tactical decisions which left the defence exposed.

The hosts took advantage and scored two early goals, ultimately taking a 3-2 lead into half time.

However, Vale regrouped and equalised, before taking the lead thanks to a poached goal by Freddie Wolfenden.

Yeovil piled on the pressure, but the visitors sealed the win courtesy of a breakaway goal from Oskar Hinds.

Man of the match: Dave Pearson

This Saturday, Vale host Sidmouth & Ottery B (3pm).

South East 3
East Devon D 2, Taunton Vale E 5

IT was an unseasonably warm October morning, when Vale E went to Exeter.

They go off to a brilliant start, Ross Smith putting them ahead, and he completed his hat-trick to make it 3-0 at the break.

The hosts’ younger players began to cause Vale problems with their greater energy levels.

But although they scored twice, Smith’s fourth of the game and Brian Louis’ strike secured the win for the away side.

Man of the match: Tom White

Vale remain top of the table, and are without a match this weekend; they go to Bridgwater D on November 3.

***

TAUNTON Vale ladies 1sts are still searching for their first league point of the season, after a fifth consecutive defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of Premier Division 1.

Second-placed Bristol University had the edge on Saturday, winning 2-1 at home to their Vale visitors.

Vale 2nds were also beaten 2-1, in their case at home to South Division rivals Isca 4ths.

It was a good Saturday for both Vale teams in Sedgemoor Division 1, the 3rd XI overwhelming hosts Mid Somerset 7-2, and the 4ths coming from behind to beat Burnham-on-Sea 3-1.

In Sedgemoor 2, Vale 5ths lost 3-0 at home to Sidmouth & Ottery 2nds, while the 6ths drew 1-1 at Minehead 2nds.

There are no league matches for Vale’s ladies sides this Saturday; they are all back in action on November 3.

***

TAUNTON Civil Service men’s 1sts made it four wins from four in South East 1 this season, as they saw off visitors West Dorset last Saturday.

The hosts won 3-1, thanks to goals from Christian Cullum (2) and Calvin Bull.

CS A are also going well, in South East 2, and they remain unbeaten after a 6-0 victory away to Bridgwater C.

They followed up the previous week’s 11-0 romp with strikes from Simon Jones (3), James Rew (2) and Dave Jessop.

This coming Saturday, the 1sts are away to East Devon C (1pm), while the 2nd XI entertain West Dorset A (noon).

Both Taunton CS ladies teams drew their matches on Saturday.

The 1st XI held Central Division leaders Team Bath Buccaneers 3rds to a 3-3 draw at home.

As for the 2nds, they drew 2-2 at Winscombe 4ths in Sedgemoor Division 2.

The ladies teams have a break from league action this weekend.