Recap

Report

An entertaining affair at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium saw the Peacocks play out their second 3-3 home draw with the Southern League season only a month old. Although grabbing an early lead, the West London visitors fought back quickly to gain the advantage which they held until midway through the second half, with both sides then seeing glimpses to deliver the knockout blow.

The Peacocks introduced debutant Morgan Lewis, signed on loan from Weston-super-Mare, into their starting line-up and after Alfie Moulden had dragged a shot wide for the hosts, Toby Down’s long ball moments later set Archie Ferris free to slot home past Hanwell keeper Sam Beasant for the opening goal after just five minutes.

The Hanwell riposte was swift. Jordan Edwards, fresh from a midweek hat trick in the Geordies’ 6-0 drubbing of Sheppey United in the FA Cup, swivelled onto a knockdown from Alfie Pendlebury to arrow his effort into the far corner for the equaliser after nine minutes as the home defence dozed. Toby Down headed wide for the Peacocks from Moulden’s cross before further Hanwell pressure was rewarded when Callum Woodcock’s lofted ball forward saw Dwayne Duncan reach the ball before Taunton keeper Adam Parkes to nod over the line for a 2-1 lead after 17 minutes.

Pendlebury turned to fire the wrong side of the post as Hanwell pushed for a third, but Taunton gradually fought their way back into it. Owen Brain made space for a shot which was smothered low down by Beasant before the home side drew level after 34 minutes when Alfie Moulden’s corner to the far post was headed home by Jake Hodgson for his second goal in successive games. Good work by Lewis then won a corner which was whizzed in by Brain and when cleared, Eddie Jones’ goalbound shot hit a defender while some further promising play in the final third broke down at the vital moment as the rain became steadier and the pitch slicker.

One minute into added time at the end of the first half and Hanwell wrested back the initiative. Taunton conceded a free kick on the right edge of the box and Edwards punished them by curling home a superb finish beyond the dive of Parkes.

The second half began in quieter style. The visitors’ Kameron English couldn’t direct his header on target from Rod Young’s cross while Down moved forward to try his luck from range, Beasant making a comfortable save, but there were few openings until the Peacocks restored parity again after 64 minutes, skipper Tom Smith alone to drill into the net from inside the six yard box after Down’s header had found its way across goal.

A trio of home substitutions and a formation change followed in the next ten minutes as manager Richard Luffman employed options to try and snatch a winner and what would be his side’s first home league victory of the campaign. It nearly happened when Smith chanced his arm from 30 yards, his peach of a strike being denied by an excellent tip-over save from Beasant. That was about it though as despite plenty of pressing, Hanwell defended resolutely to minimize opportunities. In fact it was the Geordies who came alive in the dying minutes and might have snatched the three points when Pendlebury won the ball and chipped over the stranded Parkes and thankfully narrowly over the bar. A late corner in three minutes of added time then saw Nathanael Boakye and Woodcock have efforts blocked before the whistle left it all square in the Somerset rain.

Line-Ups

Taunton: Adam Parkes, Eddie Jones, Ollie Woodhouse, Toby Down, Tom Purrington, Tom Smith (captain) (Harris Feltham 89), Archie Ferris (David Duru 73), Owen Brain (Jayden Nielsen 66), Jake Hodgson (Charlie Dashfield 81), Alfie Moulden (Aysa Corrick 66), Morgan Lewis

Hanwell: Sam Beasant (captain), Joe Wilson, Dan Carr, Callum Woodcock, Dwayne Duncan, Harry Seabrook, Kameron English, Mat McKenzie, Alfie Pendlebury, Jordan Edwards, Rod Young (Nathanael Boayke 86). Unused subs: Kyron Richards, Luis Le Paih, Leo Donnellan, Ezekial Sonukan

Officials

Referee: Craig Scriven (Highbridge)
Referee’s Assistant 1: David Middleton (Watchet)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Steven Redman (Bridgwater)

Attendance

664

Reaction

“It’s an OK point but just disappointed to give away the soft goals……….” 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

Tom Purrington receives the Taunton Town Man Of The Match award as chosen by Peacocks’ supporter Pete Taylor, the first purchaser of the club’s new home shirt