MINEHEAD Hockey Club Men's lst XI hosted mid-table Sidmouth and Ottery last weekend and, despite the 13-point gap in the table, the home side gave as good as they got and managed to salvage a crucial point in a 3-3 draw - thanks to goals from Chris Weetch, and a brace from the returning Nev Weir.

It saw them close the gap to seven points behind their closest rivals University of Exeter.

With just three matches remaining, Minehead need to win every one to avoid the drop.

The Seconds made the long trip to Bridport to face title contenders West Dorset, who ended up taking top spot in the table with a convincing 9-3 win.

Traffic conditions meant most of the visiting team arrived with a couple of minutes to go before the start of the match and the lack of warm-up time, and yet again a scratch side bolstered by three third team players, cost them dear as four quick goals were slotted early on.

Glenmore Bakery Man of the Match Robin Fieldhouse led the fightback as always on the right, with Clegg netting two, and Strong blasting a short corner goal to make it 5-3 at the break.

The curse of West Dorset struck again, as Strong went off injured for a second time in as many years.

West's talented centre forward subsequently added three more to his tally and a fourth from one of their youngsters closed out the match.

The Third XI had an early trip to Taunton Vale, complicated by a road closure near Minehead, so several players were late to arrive for the game.

Both teams were well matched despite the hosts' squad of 14, and Minehead were keen to improve on a win and a draw in previous meetings this season.

Vale were quick to move the ball up the pitch and selfless passing ended in a tap-in to take the lead after five minutes.

This was enough of a wake up call for Minehead who pressed for most of the rest the game, via Man of the Match Scott Fewings and Moody in the midrfied, but just they couldn't find the final pass to draw level.

Indeed, the pressure proved to be their undoing as Vale broke in the final minute of the second half to repeat one two moves up the pitch to outstrip the returning defnce and slot a second under keeper Matthews.

Tomorrow (Sat) sees hockey action as the lsts travel to Cullompton for a must-win clash at Hornets, the 2nds host Tiverton, and the 3rds are the warm-up act hosting Mid-Somerset.

Spectators and players old and new are welcome to watch or play.