MINEHEAD and West Somerset’s Ladies hockey team travelled to Honiton for their third league fixture of the season. The visitors made a bright start, applying early pressure that was soon rewarded when Cape fired home from a penalty corner.

Honiton responded ten minutes later, with their key midfielder making a weaving run through the midfield and defence to level the score. A brief lapse in concentration followed, but Minehead quickly regained control, netting twice in quick succession through Cape and Chilcott.

The half-time break briefly disrupted Minehead’s rhythm, allowing Honiton to pull one back. However, a well-executed short corner restored the two-goal cushion as Cape completed her hat-trick, making it 4–2. Honiton managed a late third, but Minehead’s earlier dominance secured a 4–3 victory. The Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Player of the Match went to Gemma Chilcot.

Minehead’s Men’s First XI hosted Taunton Vale, and ran out comfortable 5-2 winners. New man Joe Rowson made his mark again with a brace, backed up by Jos Bennett making a welcome return, and Pete Cole pushing to cement his spot as first team goal scorer this season.

Minehead 2nds travelled away to play Yeovil and Sherborne 3’s. The teams seemed well matched and with Minehead playing three in defence, managed to spend a good amount of time in the opposition’s half. Yeovil broke through and put a shot on goal, finished off with a touch by Minehead captain Chris Briggs. Unfortunately this was a sign of things to come and Chris managed to get another goal past his own keeper before half time.

Minehead went into the second half with good spirits but Chis managed a third for his own-goals hat trick. Adrian Bagg in goal made some excellent saves but a final touch from Olly Dascombe made it 4 own goals for the loss. The score line didn’t reflect some of the hard work put in by the Minehead midfield, and new player, Ben Cobb put in an excellent first performance on the left wing and was awarded player of the match.

The 3’s continued their strong start to the season with a dominant away 4-0 win over Weston Super Mare. Starting with the luxury of one substitute, and missing skipper Joe Bolton for the first of two fixtures, Ben Druitt led the team from the front with his never-quit attitude which motivated the whole team from the off. Clegg, only able to play the first half, proved to be the big difference in the midfield, and managed to set Taylor free up front to cause mayhem in Weston’s defence that led to goals for himself, Will Reed and Morris Burrough to see Clegg leave with a healthy lead at the break. Pressure continued in the second half; Minehead never lost a 50/50 ball, charged down every attack, and spraying the ball from left to right saw gaps open for both Jones and Strong as wing backs. Max Reed added to the tally to close out a thoroughly enjoyable match.

Ladies’ training is on Tuesday evening at West Somerset Sports Centre from 7pm and Men’s training is at 730pm on Wednesdays.

This weekend the Ladies host Sidmouth & Ottery in the early match at 1030, the Men’s 1’s are at Sidmouth, the 2’s are home to Bridgwater 4’s and the 3’s face Mid-Somerset at 12.