MINEHEAD Hockey Club Men’s 1’s were the only team to have to travel, and supplemented by half of the 2nd team, made the trip to West Dorset in what proved to be a testing encounter - with the sides drawing 2-2.

Both sides had plenty of midfield possession; skipper Claude Mahlich setting the work-rate example and firing passes around the park.

Pressure was not converted to a lead, and the hosts hit twice quickly on the break with their centre forward slotting in from close range. The Seasiders continued to press, with goals eventually falling to Josh Hooper and then Jos Bennett to pull back level with ten minutes to go.

A harsh penalty corner saw worried faces in Minehead’s defence, but a third tap-in was pushed wide of the post, leaving both sides having to settle on a draw. Man of the match was Simon Strong for yet another awesome midfield performance.

The second XI hosted strugglers Shepton Mallett: the first half saw some good enjoyable hockey with a few simple mistakes but everyone kept calm. Dom Bowden, Paul Jones and Luke Orpin in defence kept the D in check, with the midfield passing about and enjoying the connections. Pilch, Cleggy and Morris Burrough had way too many shots on goal and not getting many in!

James Matthews had some epic saves in goal, including a clearance booting the ball back to the 25 yard line higher than Ash’s ariels.

Goals scored by Morris, Pilch, Cleggy and the first league goal for Sam Cobb who had the game of his career getting into it running the ball on the right wing.

Minehead men’s 3rds team hosted top of the table Sidmouth & Ottery 3s. Minehead were upbeat at having Scott Fewings back for his first match of the season but S&O fielded a strong team with plenty of subs. Minehead started with good positioning on the pitch with three in defence allowing overlap in midfield and seemed to put the visitors off balance.

However the home side conceded a penalty corner which the away side capitalised on. A few PC’s awarded to Minehead were fruitless but gave good practice for later in the match. 1-0 down at half time was frustrating but against a team that had won all their matches so far this season, was respectable.

The second half was a really exciting open game of hockey with both sides taking chances and S&O getting an early goal. Scott Fewings then took matters into his own hands with a goal from open play and shortly afterwards, Richard Darlington scored a second to draw level.

Great defending from James Matthews for MoM and Steve Thompson frustrated virtually every hit out by S&O. A penalty corner against Minehead put them 3-2 down with 15 minutes to go but this was returned soon afterwards at the other end of the pitch and Steve Thompson made an excellent strike on target for 3-3.

S&O lost their cool and had a player sent off and Minehead held on for a well-deserved 3-3 draw.

This coming weekend the 1’s host ISCA 5’s, the 2 travel to Bristol and West for a floodlight clash which if they win will see them hit second place in the League, and the 3’s have a week off.