A stoppage time goal saw the Peacocks somehow end up being beaten 3-2 at Tiverton Town in the BetVictor Southern League this afternoon (1st January).
A blistering start from the visitors saw them two goals ahead inside the first six minutes. A Ryan Brett free kick was nodded on by Nick Grimes, the ball eventually falling for Ben Adelsbury to drill home the opener after three minutes before a stunning strike from Andrew Neal doubled the lead after five minutes, the Peacocks striker taking a touch past a defender to smash a superb 20 yard volley past Lewis Williams. Tiverton responded soon after, pulling a goal back on 13 minutes when Chris Shephard’s curling shot found the net at the far post despite Lloyd Irish getting something on it. The goal boosted the hosts who began to exploit space and get on top, drawing level after 38 minutes when Jordan Bastin headed in Alex Fletcher’s cross. It still took a goal line clearance from a Grimes header to stop Town retaking the lead before the break, but it became one way traffic in the second half as the Peacocks dominated. However a succession of attacks and numerous corners failed to produce a deserved winner, with further goal line clearances and missed opportunities coming back to haunt Town three minutes into stoppage time when the home side converted their only opening of the half when Fletcher got on the end of River Allen’s corner to commit a blatant act of New Year robbery. Dan Sullivan was then sent off for his second yellow card as Town suffered successive defeats and drop a place to fifth in the table.
Reaction from management team Rob Dray and Matt Villis can be seen on Peacocks TV HERE while match highlights can be viewed HERE