MINEHEAD Hockey Club First team travelled to Bridgwater in a sunny local Derby as the 2023 season wound to an end, writes Ashley Tisshaw.

The visitors started well, keeping possession of the ball and finding themselves with an early penalty corner, a bit of improvisation from departing Skipper Daughtrey and a calm finish from Hill put Minehead 1-0 up.

Moments later Minehead won another penalty corner, executed identically to the first, doubling Minehead’s lead.

The away team's momentum was short-lived when Richards made a last-ditch attempt to tackle, giving away a penalty corner and receiving some time in the sin bin.

Some misfortune from Minehead’s defence ended in White lifting the ball over Bagg in goal and Daughtrey clearing into his own goal.

Due to poor discipline and questionable umpiring decisions, Minehead spent the rest of the game with players in and out of the sin bin, which made finding their rhythm again extremely difficult.

Right before the first half was over, Bridgwater caught Minehead napping and not tracking their men, proving an easy goal to draw level.

The second half began with momentum in Bridgwater’s favour, they scored an early goal to put themselves in front for the first time.

Some skill from Daughtrey taking himself around the back of the defence, then a reflex finish from Hooper into the corner of the goal, levelled the game once more.

A powerful flick from Hill at a penalty corner rifled the ball into the top corner of the goal, the score back in Minehead’s favour at 4-3.

Spending nearly a quarter of the game with only 10 players on the pitch, Minehead’s legs grew tired and with the crowd behind them, Bridgwater managed to find the goal twice more, Minehead were unable to salvage the draw before the final whistle, with it ending 5-4 to Bridgwater.

Minehead 2s finished off their season with a fantastic game against Shepton Mallett, who were one of the three teams fighting for the second spot in the league.

Minehead started well and soon found themselves in Shepton Mallet’s D but unable to find the goal on this occasion, this soon led to a Shepton counter and a great reverse finish putting them ahead.

Second half Minehead found themselves under pressure as energy levels neared empty as three players had already played a match for the third XI earlier in the day, but the Minehead back four stood strong to allow the midfield to help set up Nick Bennett’s second goal and give Minehead the lead.

Despite everyone giving their all Shepton found the back of the net to finish a great game as a 3-3 draw.

Skipper Paul Jones said post-match: “I could not have asked for more from any of the players and a great way to finish our season; thank you all of you for a great season”. Man of the match went to Simon Strong for yet another solid performance at the back.

Minehead’s Third XI wrapped up their league campaign against a strong Taunton Vale 5th side.

Minehead saw some really good efforts from Steve Thompson, John Clegg and Jack Lancaster but unfortunately none of them could find the result for the guys. Taunton win 4 - 2.

With several players relocating for work reasons Minehead will be searching for new players to join and play for the Club next Season at all levels.