TCS A welcomed back some old faces this week for their trip to play low ranked team Ashmoor C. Pete 'Over here' Wintrip (busy), Steve Grenfell (busy), Josh Stevenson (presumed missing), Jack 'P45 soon' Daly, Dan Adams (suspension), Karl Patrick (busy) and Conor Neal (Dont' ask, Don't tell) all returning to the side after varying spells away. The big change in playing staff didn't hinder the TCS recent push up the league table as they began the game with the expert planning of 'skipper' Andy Carter ringing in their ears. The starting line-up rewarded the dedication of players like Jack Daly, 'Big' Joe Waddon and Evan Tarr with their first league starts of the season. Skipper Andy thinking it might be wise to start 'Angry' Dan Adams on the bench as soon as he saw the umpire was the very same one that nearly wore his cards out in the opening game of the season in an attempt to educate young Dan about appropriate hockey field behaviour.

The early running in the game went to plan for Taunton CS and it soon became clear that the afternoon would be played mostly in the Ashmoor half. The first goal came after some significant individual brilliance from 'Big' Joe Waddon teeing up Conor Neal for his first goal of the season in his first game. After 12 minutes the precision changes began and within the next 12 skipper Andy had bagged his second hat-trick in two weeks and TCS's dominance was assured. Just before the break Bill Horner became fed up of the playmaker role out wide and got in on the scoring himself. A 5-0 lead at half time felt comfortable however the tone of the second half was set by the fine, hard working and.... uh, experienced umpire who felt the need to confront sweet and innocent Skipper Andy about the mistakes he [ump man] had made during the first half. With Skipper Andy frankly bemused by the conversation he left the umpire to his own witterings and joined a happy(ish) huddle in the goal for the half time chat.

The Skipper began the chat by reminding the team of all the positives and finished by ensuring that in the second half the goal difference became the primary focus. Role model and all-round umpire lover Steve Grenfell (he's changed) reminded the team - and especially the captain - of their need not to upset the umpires and just go out and exploit the many strengths on show especially in the wide areas.

The second half was a daze of attacking and goals for Bill Horner (4), Conor Neal (1) and Any Carter(2) before eventually DJ Woody got his name on the score sheet (after numerous close but not quite attempts). The umpire of cards was not about to let the game reach 70 minutes without raising his hand and getting involved and with 'Angry' Dan being on his best behaviour the yellow card was eventually flashed at Jack MB for using the back of his stick in a game delaying manner - watch out Lee Slade apparently you can be sent off for that now.

The game ended with another clean sheet for Mike Whitman and his defensive team and 13 goals at the other end, along with the East Devon C result (losing to Chard) meant that the 15 goal difference disparity at the start of the day had evaporated and TCS moved to within a win of second place. The man of the match award went to Bill 'glass knees' Horner for his 5 goals and 1 assist while DOTD went to DJ Woody for numerous misses, some disgusting sunglasses and not applying anything to the jacket in time from the previous week.