Recap
Report
A blistering opening quarter paved the way for the Peacocks’ second home Southern League win of the week over a useful Supermarine side. Holding an interval lead, Town added two more in the second half and despite Supermarine reducing the arrears with 15 minutes left to play this only proved a blemish on the scoreline as Taunton made it eight consecutive games undefeated.
Jake Hodgson returned to the side in the absence of Toby Down, the only change from the team that had swept aside Marlow three days earlier to register their first home league success of the season. And the hosts made clear their intentions to keep that momentum going from the whistle. Alfie Moulden’s strike forced Marine keeper Luke Purnell into a diving stop inside five minutes while an Eddie Jones’ cross teased across the box and when Tom Smith was unable to connect it fell for Jayden Nielsen to blast over from six yards.
Owen Brain put another Jones cross wide at the near post and Aysa Corrick’s low skidding shot was held by Purnell as Town pressed the visiting defence into errors. One such occasion saw Smith’s shot take a deflection and travel narrowly wide with Tom Purrington just unable to turn it in. Brain then saw another effort blocked for a corner with the Peacocks dominant and playing some lovely stuff. The pressure paid off after 14 minutes when Marine’s preference for playing the ball out of defence backfired, a tackle allowing Smith to forage forward where his pass was fired home by Purrington.
Supermarine finally began to find their feet, a cross being headed wide and Liban Ibrahim flashing a ball across goal as the Taunton intensity of the opening 20 minutes or so eased. This allowed the visitors to demonstrate a good deal of passing football during a tepid spell, but it failed to hurt Town, who found a second wind as the half entered its final stages. Nielsen drilled over after a flick-on from a cross and Hodgson’s header at the far post from a Moulden corner was clawed away by Purnell while great battling from the hard-working Corrick set up Brain for a low strike which just missed the target. It was Brain again in added time who finished off a lovely move with a shot from a tight angle being palmed over by the overworked Swindon keeper.
There was no let up when play resumed attacking the Fire Station end. Only 25 seconds had elapsed when Brain moved in from the right to fire a shot off the base of the post before Corrick then saw his shot parried by Purnell. A deserved second goal wasn’t long in coming though, after 49 minutes to be precise. Town worked their way into the Marine area yet again and when Smith’s touch fell for Purrington, Jake Lee’s challenge brought him down and referee Walker had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped skipper Smith to despatch the penalty with consummate ease.
Michael Fernandes sent a swerving strike wide in a fleeting moment for Marine before a third goal after 58 minutes effectively settled affairs. After Brain had been denied again by Purnell turning his shot wide, the Swindon keeper had no chance when an Ollie Woodhouse throw wasn’t dealt with, the ball recycled into the box where Purrington found Corrick who needed no second invitation to crash home a great finish from 15 yards.
That was Man of the Match Corrick’s last contribution of the evening as he made way for new signing Jay Malshanskyj just past the hour. Despite the deficit, the visitors could not be discounted and had a good opportunity when Town conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. Nick Peare’s shot though hit the wall. The Peacocks came much closer at the other end. Nielsen was pulled down on the left and Brain’s resultant set piece hit the bar, came down onto the post but somehow stayed out and was scrambled clear.
Supermarine did manage to pull a goal back with 15 minutes remaining, Harry Williams laying the ball back for Ibrahim to slot into the corner but that was as good as it got for them. Town might have added further gloss to the scoreline as the contest neared its conclusion. Nielsen and Harris Feltham both saw shots sail over and Smith’s effort from a Moulden cross was blocked wide for a corner. A break in stoppage time also saw Feltham’s strike saved by Purnell before the whistle sounded immediately after a final effort from a Marine player had been lifted inches over the bar. A good night’s work at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium then, with victory lifting the Peacocks up to 8th in the table.
Line-Ups
Taunton: Adam Parkes, Eddie Jones, Ollie Woodhouse, Tom Purrington (Reece Hedges 90+5), Tom Smith (captain) (Evander Grubb 89), Owen Brain (Harris Feltham 78), Jake Hodgson, Alfie Moulden (David Duru 90+3), Jayden Nielsen, Morgan Lewis, Aysa Corrick (Jay Malshanskyj 63)
Supermarine: Luke Purnell, Sam Teal, Liban Ibrahim, Jake Lee (captain), Anton Dworzak (Jamie Edge 60), Zach Kotwica, Jose Marquez, Dave Sims-Burgess (Harry Williams 68), Michael Fernandes (Gabe Reivers 68), Olly Mehew (Liam Angel 60), Nick Peare. Unused sub: Dan Brabham
Officials
Referee: Bailey Walker (Barnstaple)
Referee’s Assistant 1: Mark Burrough (Axminster)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Jonathan Veale (Exeter)
Attendance
427
Reaction
“Outstanding from the boys, our press was good, our shape was good……………….” 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
Aysa Corrick was named the Taunton Town Man Of The Match by Graham and Lainey Hook from Match Ball Sponsors Upper Glass Cleaning Services
Many Thanks To Our Match Ball Sponsor
