Recap

Report

The Peacocks surrendered a three goal advantage at the break to share the spoils on their return to the Southern League after a two year absence. In the epitome of a game of two halves, Town bossed the opening 45 minutes but couldn’t maintain the momentum and saw their interval lead snuffed out by a resurgent City side in the second half.

It took only 43 seconds for a Town side fielding ten debutants to open their account, former Peacock Dan Ball’s back header from a Tom Smith ball over the top falling short and being seized on by Archie Ferris who coolly lobbed Jared Thompson in the City goal. Ferris fired another strike over as his side grew in confidence before the lead was doubled on the quarter hour. Ryan Crouch’s pass down the right was laid off by Smith to Evander Grubb whose left-footed shot from 15 yards glanced off a defender and squirmed through the legs of Thompson.

Gloucester briefly raised the hopes of their travelling support with a spell, Joe Hanks chipping just over the top and Ball seeing his header touched over by keeper Adam Parkes before City’s Daniel Leadbitter picked up the first yellow card of the afternoon for felling Owen Brain on the cusp of the area and when Smith’s free kick hit the wall, Jake Hodgson drilled the follow-up inches wide of the far post.

The home side heaped further misery on their guests after 29 minutes. Taunton skipper Smith was instrumental in the goal, threading a lovely pass through to Grubb who had work to do against covering defenders but fended them off and slotted home a composed finish into the bottom corner of Thompson’s net. Brain was close to adding a dreamland fourth when breaking clear but on this occasion Thompson came out on top as he smothered his effort. That proved Brain’s final contribution as a hamstring tweak saw him replaced by Calum English-Brown during first half added time.

The second half proved a vastly different affair. Grubb dragged an early shot wide before the City team finally sprang to life. Parkes turned an angled strike wide before blocking from Ed Williams as the visitors upped the pressure. The best opportunity for the Peacocks arrived following a good run and cross from Eddie Jones which Ferris glanced wide. Had that gone in there was probably no way back. The door was still ajar though, and Gloucester got their foot in after 64 minutes, referee Walker deciding there had been a handball offence by Tom Purrington in the box and Joe Hanks sent Parkes the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The dust had barely settled before City pulled another one back a minute later, a lofted ball forward finding Harry Burns who lobbed over the stranded Parkes from the right. A shellshocked Town were swaying and were caught out again with 20 minutes remaining with a carbon copy of the second goal, Hanks this time lobbing Parkes for the equaliser.

The visitors were now on the front foot as they searched for the cherry on the icing. Parkes was in the right place to grasp Hanks’ effort after the double scorer had connected with a cutback before the Taunton keeper pulled off a superb diving save to deny Kevin Dawson’s strike from distance. However, the Peacocks survived the Tigers’ roar to earn a point from an action packed opener to the season.

Line-Ups

Taunton: Adam Parkes, Eddie Jones, Ryan Crouch, Ollie Woodhouse, Toby Down, Tom Purrington, Tom Smith (captain), Archie Ferris (David Duru 71), Owen Brain (Calum English-Brown 45+1) (Alfie Moulden 82), Jake Hodgson, Evander Grubb (Olly Sully 71) (Harris Feltham 90).

Gloucester: Jared Thompson, Daniel Leadbitter, Jamie Reckord, Dan Ball (Spencer Hamilton 30), Ed Williams, Harry Pinchard (Kieran Phillips 90), Brandon Smalley, Joe Hanks, Ben Richards-Everton, Kevin Dawson (captain), Mekhai Bessasa-Grant (King Baidoo 30) (Harry Burns 58). Unused sub: Tyrone Duffus

Officials

Referee: Bailey Walker (Barnstaple)
Referee’s Assistant 1: Adam Leigh (Clovelly)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Mark Burrough (Axminster)

Attendance

849

Reaction

“Everyone that’s here today has seen that this team is a high potential team…..” watch the reaction of manager Richard Luffman on Peacocks TV HERE

Highlights

Match highlights can be seen on Peacocks TV HERE

Photos

Match photos from club photographer Debbie Gould can be viewed HERE

Taunton Town MOM

Evander Grubb receives the Taunton Town Man Of The Match award from newly appointed Club Vice-Chairman Lloyd Irish

Many Thanks To Our Match Mascots 

Berrow Under 7s and Under 8s