GoCrea8 Premiership
Plymouth Marjon 5, Taunton Vale 3

VALE men’s 1st XI travelled down to Plymouth Marjon on a cold Friday night to play the league leaders, with plenty of support for the home side creating a fantastic atmosphere.

The visitors started the game better than in previous weeks, but it wasn’t long before the home side took the lead through a well-worked goal.

Marjon pressed Vale well, turning the ball over high up the pitch and scoring twice more.

The away side weren’t discouraged, though, as they pulled one back through player/coach Elliot Foweraker, but it was 4-1 at the break.

Vale improved their intensity after the restart, putting Plymouth under some pressure of their own, rewarded with a goal from striker Sam Young.

With momentum on their side, the visitors scored another – Young doubling his tally – and suddenly it was 4-3 and the game was in the balance.

But with 10 minutes remaining, Vale conceded a penalty flick after some rash defending, and Marjon scored it.

The game finished 5-3, but it was a superb second-half performance from the away side, with Somerset CCC captain Tom Abell their man of the match.

Vale host Wotton-under-Edge this coming Saturday (2pm start), a vital match which sees the bottom two sides in the table go head-to-head.

Conference South
Taunton Vale A 1, Plymouth Marjon A 6

THE 2nds also faced their Plymouth Marjon counterparts on Saturday, their opponents also sitting atop their league.

Vale started positively, but they spurned several chances and the visitors netted from a goalmouth scramble, then got a second from a short corner.

The second half started strongly for the hosts, who scored within a minute of the restart after some direct passing down the right and a cross that was calmly finished by Adam Veitch.

The next goal would be pivotal, and unfortunately for Vale it was their opponents who scored it, and from there they went on to score another three.

This Saturday, basement side Vale are away to second-bottom Tavistock (4.30pm).

Central 1
Old Bristolians 6, Taunton Vale B 1

AFTER two successive wins, the 3rd XI went into their game at Old Bristolians in good spirits, but they were left to rue a poor first half as they shipped five goals without reply.

The visitors improved after the break, but found the opposition keeper in inspired form.

Colin Jewhurst did eventually pull one back from a penalty corner, but it was only to prove a consolation as OBs scored their sixth.

Man of the match: Andy Ford on debut

It’s derby day for Vale on Saturday, as they host Bridgwater (4pm).

South East 1
Taunton Vale C 1, East Devon A 2

VALE 4ths hosted East Devon A, hoping to get back to winning ways.

The hosts came under a lot of pressure early on, and it was only due to resolute defending from Tom Howard and Andy Rogers that they held out.

Vale managed to string together some attacks of their own, but two converted short corners in quick succession saw the visitors 2-0 up at half time.

The home side gave a rousing second-half performance, starting with a fantastic goal from Tom Carpenter.

Chances came and went, but Vale could not equalise, with the last play of the match seeing a short corner inches away from being deflected in.

Man of the match: Tom Howard

Vale, now eighth, go to third-placed ECV Hornets A on Saturday (2pm).

South East 2
Taunton Vale D 0, Chard B 0

THE men’s 5ths saw out a goalless draw against Chard B.

The visitors had the better of the opportunities, particularly in the first half, and forced keeper Brian Louis into making a couple of outstanding saves.

The second half saw an improved performance from Vale, but they could not find a way past Chard’s defence.

Man of the match: Harry Cooper

This coming Saturday sees Vale away to Bridgwater C (12.15pm).

***

TWO Taunton Vale ladies sides finished their 2017 with a win last weekend.

The 1st XI put more distance between themselves and the bottom five in Premier Division 1 with a 3-1 victory over Newent, with Sarah James, Karen Turnbull and Hannah Hughes scoring.

And in Sedgemoor 2, Vale 5ths won 4-0 at basement side Weston-super-Mare 3rds.

***

TAUNTON Civil Service men’s 1st XI hosted high-flying Bristol & West A last weekend, and despite a competitive display they lost 2-1.

It means that they sit at the foot of the Central 2 standings, but they are just three points behind fourth-bottom Team Bath Buccs E, their hosts on Saturday (12.30pm).

Civil Service A lost ground on South East 2 leaders Chard A, who beat their visitors 4-1 at the weekend.

The home side worked their way into a 2-0 lead, and although Lee Slade pulled one back with eight minutes to go, Chard took advantage of gaps at the back to score two more late on.

This Saturday they entertain second-bottom Yeovil and Sherborne B (noon).

CS ladies 2nds’ last match of the year was a 3-1 defeat at third-placed White Eagles 3rds.

There was more success for the Under-14 girls, who claimed three wins and a draw at the Shepton Mallet tournament.

They beat Taunton Vale 9-0, and did not concede a single goal on the day.

***

MINEHEAD men’s 1sts and 2nds both enjoyed wins in South East 1 last Saturday.

The 1st XI are a point off the top after a 2-0 win over third-placed ECV Hornets A, while the 2nds won 5-0 at bottom side Ashmoor B.

This weekend Minehead are at East Devon B (2.30pm) and Minehead B host Yeovil and Sh. A (1.30pm).

Minehead B were 5-2 winners over Sidmouth & Ottery C, and this Saturday they got to Chard B (12.30pm).

The final match of 2017 for Minehead ladies 2nds was at table-toppers Chard, who scored four goals in each half, despite an improved attacking display from the visitors after the break.

Beaver Ford’s player of the match: Eleanor Kaye (GK).
Minehead squad: Eleanor Kaye (GK), Belinda Brown, Hannah Cornish, Jess Koppa, Izzy Fitzgerald, Georgia Perkins (c), Briony Smith, Maya Leworthy, Laura Mapledoram, Amelia Swallow, Kaylyn Porter, Vicky Perkins, Carol Matravers.