Recap

Report

Missing five players, the Peacocks put in a commendable performance against their National League visitors who grabbed the only goal of the contest four minutes from the end. A draw would have been a fairer result over the 90 minutes, but the hosts can take positives from the game with the League campaign looming ever nearer.

One positive that was not welcome was that which resulted from Covid tests, ruling out several of the Town squad and forcing Head of Football Rob Dray to bring in some late replacements. The Peacocks had the first sight of goal, Ollie Chamberlain’s ball downfield finding Jared Lewington who chested down but volleyed high over the top. Yeovil responded with two openings of their own, Matt Worthington’s effort from the right proving bread and butter for Lloyd Irish and then a trialist making ground across the edge of the box before firing wide of the target.

Zac Smith set up Toby Holmes for a strike which cleared the bar as both sides struggled to engineer a breakthrough. Reuben Reid curled a tame effort into Irish’s arms and Alex Bradley shot wide before the half ended with honours even and defences in control.

The Peacocks came out on the front foot after the break and forced two early corners from Jay Foulston. Jared Lewington’s header from the first flicked off a defender and the follow-up flag kick was met by Nick Grimes at the far post and his nod back into the box saw Lewington’s header tipped over by Glover’s keeper Grant Smith. Town maintained the early pressure, with Holmes just unable to get a shot away from a fine trialist pass, the ball eventually reaching Ross Staley whose strike was deflected wide, leading to another two corners.

Yeovil rarely threatened at the other end, Max Hunt heading over from a trialist cross and Josh Staunton firing harmlessly wide, while the Peacocks looked the more likely to break the stalemate. Holmes was wrestled down as he advanced on goal, but the free kick came to nothing, then another set piece saw Foulston’s strike parried by Smith and cleared.

Town’s last realistic chance came with 15 minutes remaining, a deep cross from the No 2 trialist being met on the volley by Chamberlain beyond the far post but he couldn’t hit the target. The visitor’s full-time status began to show in the final ten minutes as they began to increasingly press. Dale Gorman’s shot from just outside the area skimmed the roof of the net and then on 86 minutes the Glovers snatched the winner, Gorman’s corner from the right being met by Tom Knowles and his effort took a deflection as it found the back of the net. Some poor defending nearly saw Yeovil add a quick second, however Knowles’ shot found the side netting. Another goal though would have been harsh on the Peacocks who competed well for the 90 minutes.

Line-Ups

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Ollie Chamberlain, Jay Foulston, Nick Grimes (captain), Ioan Richards, Jake Wannell (Trialist 45), Joe Guest, Zac Smith, Toby Holmes, Jared Lewington, Ross Staley (Trialist 73). Unused subs: Ben Adelsbury, Marko Radovanovic, Shay Allen, Trialist

Yeovil: Grant Smith, Alex Bradley, Luke Wilkinson (captain) (Dale Gorman 76), Max Hunt, Josh Barnett, Josh Staunton, Matt Worthington, Charlie Wakefield, Trialist (Joe Quigley 61), Lewis Simper (Tom Knowles 61), Reuben Reid. Unused sub: Ollie Haste

Officials

Referee: Marc Whaley (Plymouth)
Referee’s Assistant 1: Steve Reed (Churchinford)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Jordan Lee (Bedford)

Attendance

597

Reaction

“I’m really pleased with the lads tonight, we were a little bit chucked together” – see Rob Dray’s match reaction on Peacocks TV HERE

Highlights

Match highlights on Peacocks TV HERE

Photos

Match photos on Taunton Town FC Flickr HERE