Verde Recreo Men’s League
Championship
Swindon 3, Taunton Vale 3

TAUNTON Vale men’s 1sts travelled to Swindon on Saturday, looking to maintain their perfect start and keep pace with two other teams at the top of the league.

Despite a good warm-up, Vale started appallingly and did not match their hosts’ intensity all over the pitch.

Following a flurry of attacks, Swindon opened the scoring with a scrappy finish, and they then doubled their lead in unusual fashion, as Vale keeper Bayley Chatwin left a mishit pass under the impression that it was outside of the D.

With the visitors reeling, the home side scored a third; after a good save from Chatwin, the Vale defenders waited for a whistle that never came and the forward tapped home from close in.

Just before half time, a hiatus in play allowed Vale to regroup, and this led to an immediate response, as a blisteringly fast counter-attack from Angus Chapman and Ross Hardwick fed Ethan Williams to score from close range.

After half time Vale were the dominant team and soon they reduced the arrears through a well-taken drag flick from Martin Johnson.

With 20 minutes to go the away side drew level with a trademark tap-in from Williams, also making him top scorer for the season with five so far.

In the closing stages of the game Vale were chasing the win, and would have completed the comeback had Henry Ormrod not been thwarted by the base of the post.

Man of the match: Ethan Williams

This coming Saturday, Vale – now in third – travel to Plymouth Marjon A (12.30pm start).

Southern 1
Taunton Vale A 3, PGSOB A 2

THE 2nd XI came out on top against PGSOB A, after a very close game.

Vale were slow off the mark and conceded early, from a short corner.

But the hosts didn’t let this get the better of them, playing some fast and free-flowing hockey, but then let in a second.

With five minutes left of the first half, Ben Hembrow scored a contender for goal of the season with a reverse strike from the top of the D into the top right-hand corner.

After the break, some good patience around the D led to an opportunity and Jonty Lawford levelled.

Vale kept up the pressure, and Adam Veitch crossed for Harry Stephenson to tap in at the back post for the winner.

Man of the match: Ben Hembrow, Andy Stevenson

Vale A host Truro A on Saturday (noon).

Central 1
Taunton Vale B 1, Westbury & UB A 6

TAUNTON Vale men’s thirds slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat last Saturday, losing at home to Westbury & UB A.

The hosts dominated the early exchanges and went into a deserved lead, as Colin Jewhurst intercepted the ball and finished with aplomb.

Just as it looked as though Vale would go in to half time with the lead, Westbury snatched two goals to take the advantage.

The second half was to prove disappointing for the home side, as they conceded four more goals without reply.

Their tired legs began to make mistakes, and they were punished by a ruthless Westbury outfit.

This Saturday sees Vale travel to take on Team Bath Buccs C (12.30pm).

South East 1
West Dorset 2, Taunton Vale C 2

VALE C were unlucky to come away with only a point from their visit to West Dorset.

The away side started the game strongly, playing the ball around the defence, and were unfortunate to go down 1-0 from a Dorset break.

Early in the second half Vale keeper Josh Baker was millimetres from saving a penalty flick.

From 2-0 down, the game was all Vale, as excellent work on the wings by debutants Naman Julka-Anderson and Rory East kept West Dorset pinned in their half.

Two goals from short corners in the last 10 minutes, from Jerry Osborne and James Dakin, ensured the visitors came away with a draw.

Man of the match: Lewis Sparks

Vale entertain East Devon C on Saturday (3pm).

South East 2
Taunton Vale D 4, Sidmouth & Ottery B 3

THE Vikings recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season, with a hard-earned win over Sidmouth & Ottery B.

Having taken the lead via a sharply-taken rebound scored by Mark James, Vale came under pressure from a well-organised visiting side.

Having struggled to maintain possession, Vale conceded twice before half time and went into the break with a one-goal deficit.

Things got worse in the second half, the hosts conceding another, but then they launched a comeback – a trademark of the season so far.

Marius Mankau scored from a short corner, and Freddie Wolfenden netted two excellent goals to put Vale into the lead.

Despite being reduced to 10 men after an ill-judged tackle by Brian Louis, Vale defended with great determination to see out the win.

Man of the match: Freddie Wolfenden

On Saturday, Vale are at Chard B (12.30pm).