MINEHEAD & West Somerset Hockey Club’s men’s 2nd team travelled to Old Bristolians to close out the 25/26 season - for a game which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The team had already clinched the West Concorde Division Two league title the previous last weekend following a 9-0 victory at home against Bristol Firebrands 5s, so there was nothing to lose but nonetheless they wanted to put in a good stint and finish the season on a high. It wasn’t going to be easy again Old Bristolians.

It was warm and sunny, which isn’t the best weather for hockey and the West Somerset side soon knew that OBs were going to make this difficult for them. They home side fielded a young and fit team with some very good players which kept the visitors on their toes.

The first half was relatively balanced with a few chances being created by both sides but Minehead were struggling to convert short concerns and get the ball on target. The first half ended 0-0. At this stage it could be anyone’s game.

The second half started and it seemed liked OBs had strengthened their side which was causing the visitors grief putting their midfield under pressure. Minehead kept them at bay and Sam Cobb managed to put them 1-0 up.

It was still early on and challenging to hold them. Minehead were unfortunate that a good cross ball hit a OB defender’s foot and then deflected up by a stick hitting Pilch in the head who scored ‘a header’. Alas this is not a legitimate goal in hockey.

OBs finally broke out and scored an equaliser via an impressive short corner. A Simon Strong strike for a short corner found the goal but just a few inches above the backboard which meant it was disallowed.

The visitors were tiring but held off the Old Bristolians’ attack and eventually managed to settle for a draw.

They were a very good team; it was a good natured game and perhaps a sign of things to come as Minehead will find themselves playing in a higher standard of hockey next season. Minehead 2nds ended the season without losing a game, scoring over 110 goals with only 16 conceded.

Minehead Men’s 3s faced Sidmouth & Ottery 3s at home for their final fixture of the season.

Minehead fielded a confident side but knew it would be a competitive match. Sidmouth put pressure on and Minehead had to work hard in defence showing that it wasn’t going to be an easy day for the away side. Minehead’s midfield were stretched by having to support defence which meant the forwards were sparse when the ball made it through to them.

Sidmouth managed to open the scoring with a shot from top D. After the reset Minehead put pressure on and hit the backboard but sadly after a whistle, giving them a short corner in their favour. This was fruitless and Minehead spirits dropped before halftime.

The second half saw scrappy play from both sides; Minehead conceded a second goal and despite several strikes on goal by Will Reed, failed to capitalise. A 0-2 loss for Minehead kept Sidmouth off the top spot in the league on goal difference but Minehead felt they hadn’t put in their best performance on the day.