MINEHEAD Hockey Club Men's first team faced Isca on Saturday for the first time this season - and turned on the style to gain a splendid 4-1 home victory.

On paper this was one of the Seasider's strongest sides so far, and after a couple of winless weeks, optimism was high that they would get a result. Minehead began the game well, building moves from the back and maintaining pressure and possession.

However, ten minutes in and somewhat against the run of play, Isca were awarded a penalty stroke after the ball struck a Minehead player on the line. Lee Fairbrother was unfortunately beaten by an unexpectedly slow shot and the visitors pulled ahead.

Minehead responded almost instantly with Josh Hooper scoring and pulling the teams level again, before Joe Notaro-Livingstone skilfully deflected a ball into the roof of the net to put Minehead in front. Minehead then combined to score what coach Andrew Speed described as 'the best goal he had seen scored in years' - a fluid movement of one touch passes from Minehead's 'D', reached James White who proceeded to fire the ball into the roof of the visitors’ goal, Minehead 3 - 1 Isca.

The second half started with Joe Notaro-Livingstone finding the goal once more with a lovely lofted reverse from a tight angle to make it 4 - 1. Though Minehead tired in the midfield and lost some shape towards the end of the game, it was an outstanding team performance. Special mentions to Chris Weetch, James White and Joe Rowson putting in a shift in the midfield for seventy minutes, and player of the match Joe Notaro-Livingstone.

Minehead 2’s travelled up the M5 to play Bristol and West’s 4th team - a side one place above them in the league. It was a rare game for them to play under flood lights in the late fixture of the day.

It took a few minutes at the start of game for Minehead to warm up with Bristol keeping play in the visitors’ half. But once they got going Minehead kept possession and passed around their midfield to pressure defence. Minehead created a few chances to score but found their junior England international keeper to be quick off the line with some excellent reactions and reflexes. However, after continued pressure using the Cobb Brothers and Vickery’s speed and fitness keeping width and running down the lines around defence, Lawrence Taylor managed to score to take a precarious lead.

The second half provided more chances with Albert Vickery still chasing an elusive goal as his effort was disallowed due to a late whistle for an earlier foul. After several short corners awarded to Minehead, Paul Jones had some shooting opportunities but the keeper was keeping the hosts in contention. Ash Tisshaw found his rhythm in his aerials from the 16 keeping the ball in their half with Minehead’s midfield and forwards playing some really nice through balls and 1-2s running around their defence.

Bristol were not able to capitalise on their short corners and had few real opportunities to score thanks to the visitors’ defence, bolstered this week by Chris Briggs at right back.

Minehead managed to hold out during the game and win 1-0 - an excellent result against a team higher than them in the league.