MINEHEAD Hockey Club's Men's lst XI restarted their 2025 campaign with a convincing 6-1 win over visitors Taunton Vale 4th XI last Saturday.

As a Storm Darragh-affected match before Christmas, both sides were able to bring strong teams boistered by extra players on the benches. However, this led to Minehead playing some splendid hockey considering they had not played for a while because of the Christmas break.l

Minehead started with a midfield comprising James and Chris Weetch, Nick Jones and the returning Andrew Covey and they dictated the play from the whistle, giving the visitors scant possession and even fewer opportunities.

It was not long before Minehead's pressure turned into a lead, with Lawrence Taylor slotting two quick goals. As substitutes came and went for both sides, Minehead proved to be stronger in all areas, including stand-in keeper Taylor Buller making some crucial saves when required.

Taylor, who looked sharp up front througout, added a third to seal his Man of the Match status, and one each for Rob Speed, Mark Bolton and Shane Heale saw Minehead secure maximum points despite conceding a late penalty that Buller was close to stopping.

Minehead are now sitting in first place in the West men's Parrett Division One, equal on points with Bridgwater and Tiverton, who still have a game in hand, but with a -2 goal difference, so the next few results will be critical for all sides as they race for promotion. It is certainly turning into a good race for the championships which can only been good for the league.

Minehead 2nd XI also played their Storm-Darragh-affected match at Bridgwater against their table-topping 2s. No training and the first match back against strong opposition was too much for Joe Bolton's men and they were two down in almost as many minutes.

Minehead did force some pressure but could not convert to goals and had shipped two more until a sweet link from Max Reed to John Clegg saw them get on the score sheet. Sadly, three more goals went in against the visitors before the break for a 7-1 lead at 'jelly baby' time.

Half time strategy change saw the 2s work on structure and defence which more than frustrated their hosts, which was pleasing for the Seasiders and only one more goal was conceded although the game ended in a disappointing 8-1 defeat for Minehead.

The next hockey action will be on Saturday, January 18, as the 2s host ISCA at 2p.m., the 3s entertain Shepton Mallet at 12 noon, and the first are away to joint-league leaders Tiverton for a must-win game if their push for promotion is to continue.

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