MINEHEAD Hockey Club men’s first team had another top of the table clash when they travelled to face joint leaders Bridgwater 2s - and came out on the right side of a big victory.

Fielding one of the strongest sides of the season, complete with three on the bench, hopes were high for Minehead. The Seasiders settled quickly to their attacking rhythm, winning repeated short corners, yet struggling early on to convert.

However, the pressure was eventually rewarded with goals from Lawrence Taylor and James White, with Josh Hopper and Mark Bolton adding more before the break, and producing what was arguably Minehead’s best 35 minutes of the season so far.

Bridgwater struck back immediately after the turn-around as Lee Fairbrother was lured off his line. However, skipper James Weetch restored the lead in reply with a brilliant solo effort. Fairbrother then redeemed himself with an excellent parry of a Bridgwater shot, keeping all the momentum with Minehead.

The second half contnued with Minehead dominating the play with Rob Speed scoring followed by Hooper and Taylor adding a second each to bring the match to a final 8-1 win - and a strong statement of Minehead’s intent for the rest of the hockey season.

The 3s had the only home fixture of the weekend after the 2s match hosting Sidmouth and Ottery was cancelled due to a lack of travelling opposition.

The 3’s had a tough job hosting Westbury and Royal United Banks who had decided to make their long journey worthwhile and set off in commanding style.

A dominate performance from the visitors saw them storm into a 4-0 lead at half time with their experienced players controlling the game all across the park. There were moments of hope for Minehead as midfield duo of Paul Jones and John Clegg occasionally worked the ball into the Westbury D but with scant reward for their efforts.

The second half started positively, Fewings and Moody running the ball up the field instead of passing it, and creating pressure in the Westbury D. Unfortunately, the pressure was flipped as a quick turnover saw Westbury shift the ball in four passes to the opposite end of the pitch, and slot past keeper Steve Clapp.

Clapp continued to work hard in goal and made some excellent diving saves to deny Westbury, but as the match wore on and legs tired three more breakaways saw the ball bundled in for an eventual 9-0 lead.

Minehead finally won a short corner as the final whistle blew, but sadly shot wide of the goal to end without score which was harsh reward for all the team’s hard work through the match.

With the half-term break this coming week there is only training on Wednesday and well-needed rest for some players - and a tour to Torquay for the eager ones to look forward to before the league action restarts on the Saturday, March 1.

Minehead lsts now sit top of the table on goal difference, sharing points with Bridgwater and Tiverton; there will be high-stake matches to play in the last few weeks of the season as they try to finish top of the table against stiff opposition.

The 2s sit ninth with a tough final few weeks while the 3s are lying in seventh spot out of a total of 11 teams with six matches to play.