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Having to endure this unappealing 90 minutes (well, maybe 80) was a tough ask but then having to write about it takes things to another level. But hey it’s a dirty job and someone’s got to do it. The positive aspect of the evening was the fact the Peacocks made it through to the semi-final of a cup competition but that aside, there was little else to shout about for the home fans in the 579 crowd which might have been lower than anticipated, the decision to keep entry charges at League level probably backfiring on attempts to get a large local derby attendance.

The Town side showed three changes from the League encounter with Aveley three days earlier, with Marcus Day, Louie Slough and Evander Grubb all making starts at the expense of the two Zacs Bell and Smith plus Nat Jarvis. The Peacocks as might be expected saw most of the early opportunities. A long ball picked out Grubb who tried to beat keeper Isaac Reid at his near post, but the youngster blocked for a corner from which Cameron Evans headed over. Slough then delivered an inviting cross from the left which was knocked down for Grubb to prod over the top before the favour was reciprocated, Grubb in the middle laying off for Slough to sting the palms of Finch who held well.

The visitors though were beginning to find their feet as they mounted several attacks, Jack Taylor and Ben Griffith being foiled by the Town defence, but it was an error that allowed the Robins to take the lead after 27 minutes when a stray pass from Dan Ball saw Griffith intercept and run on to fire home past Dan Lavercombe.  Rabby Tabu Minzamba responded with a shot which was held by Finch at the opposite end before Lavercombe used his full arm extension to clutch a header from Joshua McKayle. The first half ended with the Peacocks coming close to equalizing, Finch firstly denying Stearn’s attempted chip and then pulling off an even better stop from the follow-up as he tipped Evans’ rapier strike over the bar. Stearn’s free kick then deflected off the wall and crashed off the crossbar before Grubb found Minzamba inside but again Finch saved comfortably.

Bell replaced Day for the second half for the home side who should have been level immediately, Grubb having a shot blocked and when the ball came back to him he blasted a very presentable chance well over. Ball got on the end of a Lloyd James free kick to see his header flapped away by Finch before Town made a double switch, Jarvis and Smith replacing Grubb and Stearn whilst shuffling the formation. The Robins posted their only meaningful effort of the second period soon after when another defensive slip allowed Thorne to gain ground and rifle a shot narrowly wide of the target.

Finch was having an impressive game for Bridgwater and continued to deny the hosts, holding Ball’s shot after a James cross had been flicked on. However when he was dispossessed by Ollie Chamberlain this proved the prelude to Town’s equaliser. Chamberlain squared to Jarvis in the middle, but the striker’s effort was blocked by Bridgy skipper Mark Armstrong at the expense of a corner. James took it from the left and it may have got a faint caress or two as it floated into the far corner on 73 minutes.

The final stages saw the Peacocks on top but despite the glut of possession did little with it. Callum Dolman saw his shot obstructed and Evans planted a header wide from a James corner while George King drilled high and wide in Bridgwater’s only offering.

And so to penalties for the second successive Somerset Premier Cup game. James and King successfully got the ball rolling before Chamberlain skied his kick and Lavercombe saved from Griffith. The next seven penalties all found the net, with Jarvis, Evans, Minzamba and Smith spot on for Town and Adam Wright, Jack Thorne and Jay Murray doing the business for Bridgwater. Morgan Williams effort needed to go in to keep it alive in sudden death, but Lavercombe pulled off his second stop of the shoot-out to send the Peacocks through.

Line-Ups

Taunton: Dan Lavercombe, Dan Ball, Ollie Chamberlain, Lloyd James (captain), Rabby Tabu Minzamba, Ross Stearn (Zac Smith 55), Cameron Evans, Marcus Day (Zac Bell 45), Callum Dolman, Louie Slough, Evander Grubb (Nat Jarvis 55). Unused sub: Marley Rose

Bridgwater: Isaac Finch, Mark Armstrong (captain), Dave Thorne, Tom Llewellyn (Adam Wright 54), Jack Taylor (George King 78), Jay Murray, Josh Phillips (Fin Koppa 37), Jake Llewellyn, Joshua McKayle (Morgan Williams 55), Jack Thorne, Ben Griffith. Unused sub: Jason Quick

Officials

Referee: Matt Eva (North Petherton)
Referee’s Assistant 1: Daniel Flynn (Bristol)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Steven Redman (Bridgwater)

Attendance

579

Reaction

” It was important we got the job done, it didn’t matter how we do that and we got there in the end………” watch Rob Dray’s match reaction on Peacocks TV HERE

Highlights

The game was not filmed so no match highlights are available

Photos

Match photos from Club Photographer Darren Harris can be viewed HERE

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance MOM

Louie Slough was named Taunton Town Man Of The Match, photo to follow

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