MINEHEAD Hockey Club’s men’s first team travelled to Exeter looking to maintain their win record against ISCA 5s - and came away with a 3-1 win.

Several players were away due to ski trips and a rag-tag squad made up of players from all three teams made the journey down the M5.

Josh Hooper made a welcome return from injury to slot an opening goal which was quickly cancelled out by one for the hosts, setting stage for a tense contest.

The lead was recaptured after a goal-bound shot found an ISCA foot on the line, leading to a penalty flick, ably despatched by Shane Heale.

The second half saw more controlled play with skipper James Weetch bossing the midfield and keeping ISCA guessing with dazzling stick work. A neat move between Will and Max Reed nearly saw the lead extended and at the other end Heale and Chris Briggs kept attacks at bay.

Victory was sealed when Lawrence Taylor slotted home for a deserved 3-1 success, ably assisted by saves fro keeper Lee Fairbrother.

Minehead 2nd XI hosted Bridgwater 4s and also registered a solid 5-2 win against a determined and skilful visiting team in a well-contested and generally good-natured match.

The whole game was an end to end affair, with Minehead going one, then two up, via John Clegg and Luke Orpin inside 20 minutes, only to see Bridgwater pull one back from a drag flick into the top corner of keeper Steve Clapp’s net.

Bridgwater were on the up and a goalmoouth scramble saw Clapp stop one on the line and concede a penalty flick, which he duly saved and proved to be the turning point in the match and secured him the Man of the Match votes unanimously.

Minehead then pressed across the field with the midfield of Fewings, Clegg, Vickery and Druitt causing all sorts of trouble.

The second half saw more of the same and goals from Scott Fewings, Sam Cobb and Albery Vickery saw a dejected Bridgwater become gradually more frustrated as they slipped to defeat.

The thirds fell victim to the higher teams’ availability crisis, and despite fielding an eleven, went down to a determined ten-man Old Bristolians.

Minehead began well with a goal from Rufus Strong. However, the team struggled to find any shape and conceded an equaliser before the interval.

The second half continued in the same vein with Old Bristolians scoring two more goals via direct attacks up the middle.

Paul Thomas put on the hard yards in defence to earn the Man of the Match award, with Paul Jones assisting from the right side.

Richard Darlington scored late on, but constant pressure and some wasted short corner opportunities saw a very good-tempered match end 3-2 to the visitors.