26/9/15: Newly promoted Mendip went into their first match In the Central 2 division with a full strength team although the absence of any substitutes was not an ideal position to be in when facing a Minehead side that had been relegated from the division above.
The hosts showed their intent right from the start and immediately got into their stride with Rich Briscoe, Will Lawton and Oli Beechener imposing their presence in midfield.
Mendip had much the better of the opening quarter and brought out some magnificent saves from the visiting keeper and they perhaps should have gone a goal ahead but for hitting the post. However, they were made to rue the missed opportunities as Minehead put together a swift attack down the right and scored a text book counter attacking goal.
That settled the visitors who started to pass the ball around with precision and they went further ahead from another counter attack as the Mendip defence was caught out by an aerial ball over the top that fell nicely to the forward in front of goal.
Mendip continued to play their own brand of impressive hockey and were still very much in the game as they went about their business with purpose, putting the visiting defence under pressure with Steve Smith and John Lippiatt a constant threat up front.
Liam Young did put the ball into the goal following a good attacking move but unfortunately the whistle had already blown for a short corner before the advantage had developed and another fine save from the keeper from the resulting set piece ensured that Minehead went into the break with their two goal lead still intact.
Mendip came out in the second half with no real cause for concern as they were playing well enough to get back into the match. However, as the half progressed Minehead started to wrestle control and the defence had to work hard against the free flowing attack.
On the whole the back four dealt with the danger extremely well and their composure on the ball showed great promise but ultimately the pressure was too great and a 3rd goal to the visitors more or less put the match beyond Mendip’s reach. That said, but for the magnificent reflexes of the Minehead keeper Mendip might have converted 2 or 3 of their own chances as time after time he thwarted what seemed to be a certain goal.
Eventually Mendip’s perseverance did reap its reward and John Lippiatt managed to deflect a strong shot past the Minehead stopper.
The goal was no more than the hosts deserved and galvanised their team spirit to play right up to the final whistle but regrettably Minehead had the last word by scoring late on, although a 4 – 1 defeat was rather harsh and did not give a true reflection of the match.
As a first outing Mendip can take many positives from this performance and man-of-the-match was Rich Briscoe who refused to stop running throughout and was the driving force behind a thoroughly committed display.
The team was: Leigh Taylor, Toby Green, Giles Denning, Rich Penn, James Lovell, Oli Beechener, Rich Briscoe, Will Lawton, Liam Young, Steve Smith and John Lippiatt.
Thanks to Hayley Bullock for umpiring.
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