IT WAS goals galore on a miserable day in Minehead at the weekend as Minehead & West Somerset Hockey Club men’s 2nds played their counterparts from Weston super Mare.

Prior to the game, Minehead were optimistically cautious playing Weston although they had risen to fourth in the league over the last few months and were expecting a contest, especially against a younger side.

However, within 60 seconds of the start, the home side had scored their first goal through a strong midfield push and good pick from Lawrence Taylor, which framed the next 69 minutes. Within five minutes Minehead were 3-0 up. The structure was set up and Minehead were playing well as a team passing it round them and pushing hard. And by half time they were 7-0 up with only a single moment that looked like they had the home team on the back foot.

Despite the downpours Minehead kept their discipline, not becoming greedy given the result but working as a team to keep creating chances which - oh boy they did - with another eight goals in the second half. A 15-0 win with a remarkable seven goals for Lawrence Taylor, three goals scored within 10 minutes towards the end by Ben Druitt on his return (despite hardly any touches all game prior to this), two from Paul Jones including an excellent reverse, one each for skipper Joe Bolton, Man of the Match Sam Cobb and Luke Orpin.

This was a dominant performance and helps Minehead maintain our top position in the league table.

Minehead Men’s 3s hosted Yeovil and Sherborne 3’s. It was the third match of the season for the two teams, Minehead losing then drawing away matches. Yeovil were unbeaten so far this season so it was set to be a close run thing. Minehead fielded a strong defence with Paul Thomas and Chris Gibbons playing their first matches of the season. Having two substitutes available was also going to be useful.

Minehead started with great confidence and held possession well, Will Reed and Scott Fewings pushing play high into the opposition half and resulting in a goal by Richard Darlington just five minutes into the match.

Yeovil pushed back hard but met up against a solid Minehead defence, the ball getting wedged in the keeper’s pads twice giving Yeovil two successive penalty corners but both defended. Minehead forwards had had a chance to regain composure and used this to score a second goal, again by Darlington.

Two goals up at half time, there was a discussion about whether to drop to three defenders in order to push higher but it was decided to play more conservatively and aim to hold our lead. This saw numerous attempts by Yeovil, much of which was frustrated and a run of unsuccessful short corners for the away team.

Yeovil eventually scored a solitary goal from outfield but they were clearly losing momentum. Darlington was now back on the field after a rare appearance by captain Briggs up front, and Darlington delivered his third goal of the day for a 3-1 win. MoM: Adrian Bagg

This weekend see the 1s host ISCA 5s, the 2s play a Development West Dorset side away, and the 3s are away at mid-day in a top-of-the-table match at Bridgwater 3’s.