The first home game of the season for Taunton CS A saw them hosting an East Devon D side that had been seen off 0 - 5 the previous week. 11 Taunton CS players arrived at Heathfield looking forward to another strong team performance (although Alex Bartram decided that King's College deserved a TCS presence on a Saturday morning and had to make the dash across town to arrive on time).

TCS began where they left off the previous week by dominating the early play and after a few nervy attacks into the East Devon 'D' Service finally remembered the rule of giving the ball to Bill 'back post' Horner who coolly stroked the ball in to secure his fifth goal of the season.

The events following the goal saw some very choppy tackles from DJ woody proving that he should stick to scoring goals and selecting the tunes rather than involve himself in any defensive work. The opposition skipper was clearly upset as he gestured wildly at the umpire Jason Harris who remained unfazed and let play continue and TCS drove into the 'D' with some great link-up play between Jamie Everett and Jack Muggleton-Browning. Several claims were made for short corners as the ball bobbled around but nothing was awarded however the pace and tempo of the TCS attack was clearly frustrating the East Devon skipper and central midfielder as the decided to teach some of the youngsters a new set of technical hockey phrases that perhaps shouldn't be repeated on a civilised hockey website.

Tension finally spilled over as the ball trickled towards the edge of the East Devon 'D' under the control of skipper Andy Carter. A 'gentle' hand in the back was felt (which, before we continue, is an offence) Carter carefully asked the question of the umpire and Umpire Ali kindly obliged by awarding the short corner. Something at this point incensed the East Devon captain who fired a schoolgirl rant in the direction of a clearly uncaring skipper Andy Carter who showed a momentary lack of composure by engaging in the argument. The upshot was that the East Devon captain knew he had committed an offence, agreed with a short corner decision but was upset that the short corner had been asked for (??? I didn't get it either but a note to all - this is what happens when you argue with these people - they'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience).

The final word went to the TCS skipper who received the ball at the top of the D and smashed the ball through the legs of a stranded defender to take the score to 2-0. Some kind words of encouragement were given to the skipper by the opposition as the teams jogged back to the half way line and if the swearing and name calling were removed it could nearly have been described as positive.

Injuries befell the East Devon side over the period to half time as one suffered a suspected broken finger (suspected that a finger that bends 90 degrees sideways often isn't healthy). An incident followed where an East Devon player went down on the edge of his defensive D, As players turned to see what was occurring a clearly guilty looking DJ Woody was stood over the crumpled heap of a player on the floor, apparently though no foul play took place but the player was clearly unable to continue. In a gesture of great sportsmanship TCS allowed former East Devon player Bill Horner to re-join his old side for the remainder of the game. Skipper Carter welcomed him to the fray instantly by accidentally firing the ball into his knee.

The game progressed towards half time with some great link up play between DJ Woody and new recruit Jamie Woodland who was performing exceptionally well in his first appearance for TCS A. At the back TCS had more to do towards the end of the first half but Evan Tarr, Julian Brown and Alex Bartram kept the back line solid with the assistance of a very hard working midfield 5. Anything that managed to squeeze through was capably dealt with by on form keeper Mike 'why kick when I have a stick' Whitman.

The half time team talk focussed on making sure the rest on the friendly went on in a friendly manner and could be described as focussed, determined and professional-ish.

The second half started at high tempo again with East Devon having more of the game but with Alex Bartram keeping Bill Horner quiet they had very little penetration into the TCS D. At the other end attacks were mounting and eventually the ball bobbled to Andy Carter at the top of the D and again, he powered the ball into the bottom corner of the goal to claim his second. Soon after a run of chances fell to DJ Woody in the D as the skipper and his brother selflessly set him up with chances but he decided to give the keeper some confidence and gifted some easy saves. Eventually Woody found that one yard tap-in range that he has made his own as he latched onto an exquisite ball into the D played by Jamie Everett and took the score to 4-0.

Another loose ball at the top of the D fell to Skipper Andy Carter who bagged his second hat trick for Taunton CS and the first for the men this year. This achievement was surpassed by young Joe Wadden who stepped up with his first goal for the club building on his first assist last week. Joe remembered what he was told and got the shot off early and the powerful shot was turned past the already lost keeper by a defender.

The game finished 6-0 with Skipper Andy Carter picking up man of the match but a note goes to all players for a fantastic, enjoyable and positive team performance.

DOTD this week went to DJ Woody for his perfect impression of a north Atlantic cod desperately struggling to free himself from a pitch-side net that he had climbed into to retrieve the ball.