2013 season off to a winning start

A victory against Bridgwater the previous week gave Taunton CS plenty of reason to optimistic for the first league game of the season. Even the rain which had been falling all morning did not dampen the sprits of the 15 man squad as they headed down the M5 to Okehampton.

Setting up as per the previous week with four at the back Taunton CS again started strongly. Despite the weather conditions Taunton were able to exercise their strong passing game and controlled the ball well forcing the opposition to play the game in their own half. Early dominance and pressure paid off for Taunton with a number of short corners being won. The resulting short corner routines were undertaken extremely smoothly with the ball hitting the back board with Mark Sawyer, last season’s top scorer, being the beneficiary who found himself with a hatrick with barely half the game gone. Taunton’s defence held strong however a rare Okehamptopn foray into the Taunton “D” resulted in a short corner which was not adequately dealt with as the ball passed the keeper at the near post.

The message at half time was to focus on maintaining concentration and shape. Again Taunton started the second half strongly with further goals coming from Andy Carter and Ben Witt who was kindly aided by the opposition goal keeper who diverted the ball into the goal from a base line cross. However despite all Taunton’s dominance Okehampton stayed in the game. Goals from further short corners and momentary lapses of concentration allowed Okehampton to bring the score back to 5-4 with five minutes to go. Taunton were able to keep calm and control the final five minutes of the game winning a number of shot corners and intelligently keeping possession well within the Okehampton half. There was an audible sigh of relief, most notably from the skipper at the final whistle and as three points and the first win of the season was secured.

It was a strong performance by the whole squad in difficult conditions and against a strong opposition. It was pleasing to Mark Sawyer continuing his gaol scoring streak from last season. “New signing” Jim Smith was voted man of the match for his performance in the middle. However, despite good result Taunton will not have been happy the game being as close as it was as there was plenty an opportunity to make it more comfortable.

Next week sees a visit from Minehead B, who were promoted from the league below and Taunton will be looking to capitalise further on their start to the season.