GET IN! A week after securing Evo-Stik League promotion, the Peacocks made it another memorable day at the Viridor Stadium as they won the West Division championship following a 1-0 victory over Evesham United yesterday afternoon (7th April).
It marks the club’s first ever Southern League title which was confirmed by Salisbury losing at home to Cinderford, meaning Town cannot now be caught at the top. The only goal of the contest arrived after eight minutes with the first effort by either side, Josh Nelmes on hand to tuck in at the far post from a Shane White corner. Dan Sullivan and Nuno Felix came close to extending Town’s lead while Lloyd Irish pulled off a couple of routine saves at the other end. Play-off chasing Evesham pressed forward after the break but despite some decent build-up play were unable to breach a resolute Town defence. Carl Brown fired into the side netting and then saw a shot deflect to Irish before the Peacocks nearly scored again at the end, Matt Wright’s centre finding Les Afful whose chip was cleared off the line by Andy Lewis and then Craig Veal turning to plant his effort against the post. The final whistle sounded to bring a replica of last week’s celebrations as the Peacocks sealed the title and made it a superb 29 successive league games unbeaten.
Reaction | Manager Leigh Robinson commented: “A truly wonderful day and fantastic scenes at the end. I’m over the moon for the players who have been on another level this year, the people who run the club who put in an insane amount of hours and live Taunton Town FC 24/7 and also the fans who have been awesome this year, taking over so many clubhouses on away days. For me now as a manager I can enjoy the moment of course, however I view it that we’ve got the club to a level that it certainly belongs at but I have to make sure that this isn’t as good as it gets and we keep improving.”
Captain Matt Wright said: “What a day! One that I personally will never forget. I hope it’s made up for last season’s disappointment. What we’ve done this season as a squad is unbelievable. A habit of winning games. A group of players that hates dropping points. 20 points clear. 29 unbeaten. A season that none of us will forget. Fans have been fantastic since the first kick away at Cirencester. Can all enjoy the remaining games now. Going to be a few sore heads in Taunton today. See you all Tuesday. Up the Peacocks!”