Recap

Report

The Peacocks concluded their pre-season programme for another year as they lost out to a last minute goal at the Webbswood Stadium. A competitive 90 minutes against the Southern Premier side proved just the ticket ahead of the impending National League campaign, Dylan Morgan with one of his trademark ‘specials’ giving Town lead at the break before the hosts fought back in the second half to grab a late winner.

With the M5 behaving even worse than usual for a summer Friday, Town were forced to reshuffle the pack with Nick Grimes, Austen Booth and keeper Dan Lavercombe all absent due to being stuck in the congestion, resulting in an unfamiliar-looking backline and a rare appearance between the sticks for coach Connor Sidley-Adams who was soon called into action when he palmed wide a Henry Spalding strike from the left side of the box after three minutes. Town settled and first threatened when trialist Jack Evans, brother of Cameron, found Ross Stearn whose shot deflected for his side’s opening corner.

George Dowling fired against the post for Marine following a cross from the right, but an offside flag would have negated it anyway before the visitors began to get on top, stretching the hosts with some promising attacks. After Nick McCootie’s appeals for a penalty were dismissed following a Luke Cooper challenge, the Peacocks broke the deadlock in impressive fashion after 17 minutes. McCootie failed to connect with Ollie Chamberlain’s centre which found its way to Morgan who gained a yard just outside the area to drill a beauty into the corner of Charlie Searle’s net.

Despite their possession, there were few chances for Town during the remainder of the half. Dave Sims-Burgess flicked a header into Searle’s arms from a Lee Lucas free kick while a strong run from Sims-Burgess deep into the box earned a late corner from which Rabby Tabu planted a header high and wide.

The Peacocks kicked off the second half having made five changes at the break and play started to even out more as Town’s fluency became more fragmented with midfield commander Lucas dropping back to defence. Sidley-Adams, despite his lack of match practice, was proving a safe pair of hands though, clutching a far post header from Cooper and claiming a cross from Ryan Campbell  while half time sub Nat Jarvis imposed at the opposite end, firing against the post after Chamberlain had nodded down a cross although again a flag was raised and then turning in space to see his low shot from distance held by Searle.

Marine were certainly posing more of a threat after the break and drew level on 69 minutes. Spalding’s effort was blocked for a corner which Town were unable to properly clear and Campbell’s deep cross returned from the left found a home trialist who brought the ball inside and curled a lovely finish inside Sidley-Adams right-hand post.

Town responded with a number of efforts at goal, but all just missed the target. Evans rifled a 25 yarder inches wide, then Lloyd James released Chamberlain whose drive stroked the side netting. Jarvis fired another attempt just wide from the edge of the box before Linton embarked on a powerful run from his own half to see his strike loop off a defender at close quarters for another corner. Supermarine meanwhile were also pressing for a clincher, Joe Tumelty shooting the wrong side of the post which Linton repeated at the other end. With a draw seemingly the outcome, the home side grabbed a last minute goal to claim the win. A crossfield pass found Liban Ibrahim on the right and he surged inside to lift a shot over Sidley-Adams from 16 yards. There was no time for Town to respond but not to worry….. now let the important stuff begin.

Line-Ups

Taunton: Connor Sidley-Adams, Ollie Chamberlain, Nick McCootie (Nat Jarvis 45), Rabby Tabu (Cameron Evans 45), Ross Stearn, Jack Evans (Joe Guest 42), Callum Dolman, Dave Sims-Burgess (Malachi Linton 45), Dylan Morgan (Lloyd James 45), Lee Lucas, Marcus Day (Zac Smith 45)

Supermarine: Charlie Searle, Sam Turl, Ryan Campbell, Jamie Edge (captain), Tom Sharpe (Levi Irving 64), Luke Cooper, Henry Spalding, Brandon Liggett (Joe Tumelty 64), Zack Kotwica (Liban Ibrahim 64), George Dowling (Trialist A 45), Leon Morrison. Unused subs: Trialist B, Trialist C

Officials

Referee: Samuel Read (Swindon)
Referee’s Assistant 1: Cain Collins (Melksham)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Martin Morris (Highworth)

Attendance

168

Reaction

” I thought we were really good tonight, the first half especially……” watch Rob Dray’s Match Reaction on Peacocks TV HERE

Highlights

Match highlights courtesy of Swindon Supermarine can be seen HERE

Photos

Match photos from Club Photographer Darren Harris can be viewed HERE