Taunton CS v Taunton Vale C

Taunton Civil Service hosted their second derby of the season as Taunton Vale C visited Monkton Heathfield.

For the second week running changes were made to the back four due to Jason Harris having to attend to umpiring duties so Curtis Bradley was called up from the 2nd XI to fill his shoes. Vale started the game as they usually do by moving the ball around with confidence however the TCS defence was a match for them as little threat was posed. TCS slowly began to see more of the ball and were able to counter attach thanks to many a long ball from Simon Jones and it was in fact the home side that took the lead after a Ben Witt shot across the face of goal fell to Mark Sawyer, who felt comfortable enough to shoot from a tight angle and was able to squeeze the ball across the face of goal. The game continued as fairly even affair with both sides winning short corners. Vale were first to capitalise as a low shot fell straight between keeper Miles Cave and post man Toron Everett (both were still blaming each other hours after the match).

Both sides were trying hard to create chances from open play however the next two goals were both from short corner routines moments before half time. Simon Jones allowed TCS to regain the lead dragging the ball in his usual style into the roof of the net while Vale, scored again with a low straight shot which hit Curtis Bradley’s as he was running out resulting in the ball deflecting into the air and lobbing keeper Miles Cave on the stroke to half time to even the scores again at 2-2.

Going into the second half both sides knew that the next goal could be decisive and as a result the game opened up with both sides breaking into space. Vale eventually broke the deadlock to take the lead for the first time in the game as their forward found space in the D to put the ball past the TCS keeper. TCS reacted well having found themselves on the wrong side of the score line for the first time and it eventually took a second Simon Jones short corner to level the game at 3-3. There was little time left for any further opportunities for either side and the game finished all square.

M.O.M was awarded to Curtis Bradley for putting in a solid display in his new left back position. Meanwhile D.O.D was again awarded to Toron Everett.

Team was as follows: Miles Cave (GK), Ali Johnston (c), Jim Smith, Curtis Bradley, Toron Everett, Simon Jones (2), Ben Witt, Jesse Mooney, Pete Wintripp, Mark Sawyer (1), Lee Slade, Tom Loveluck, Fin Porter