Recap
Report
A return to the Southern League loomed ever nearer for the Peacocks as they went down to a Torquay side they had comfortably despatched at Plainmoor just a month earlier. The Gulls obviously had a point to prove, building a two goal lead by the break following a stale Town display with maybe the effects of their demanding schedule catching up with them, but despite an improvement in the second half inspired by Ollie Chamberlain’s strike, they were unable to salvage anything as they succumbed to their sixth successive home defeat.
Ben Acey stepped back into the starting line-up in place of Marcus Day, the only change from the side which had dug in to secure victory at Farnborough, but despite the persuasions of the 2531 crowd, it was a low key start to the game. Zac Bell’s long throw bounced across goal for the hosts while keeper Dan Lavercombe was first into action, diving to grasp a 25 yard effort from the Gulls’ Arkell Jude-Boyd. A long throw was then intercepted by Tom Lapslie who took it to the far post and returned into the middle where Brad Ash couldn’t control and Lavercombe gathered.
The visitors were increasingly growing in confidence and fluency, a combination which broke the deadlock after 17 minutes. Jack Stobbs moved in from the left flank to find Lapslie in the middle of the box and his lay back set up Brett McGavin to drill home from 20 yards past the despairing dive of Lavercombe. Jude-Boyd dragged an innocuous shot wide of the target as Torquay continued to boss proceedings which they translated into a second goal on 29 minutes, McGavin’s corner being expertly volleyed into the roof of the net by Gulls skipper Asa Hall.
Another opening came Torquay’s way when what appeared a strong but legal challenge from Cameron Evans was deemed otherwise by referee Sandoe, presenting United with a free kick on the edge of the box which was taken short to McGavin who saw his strike charged down. The Peacocks finally showed a degree of intent during the latter stages of the half, Acey seeing his shot blocked by Ash before two corners during four minutes of added time saw Evans’ header sail way wide from the second, summing up the absence of any threat from the hosts following an uninspiring 45 minutes.
The landscape of the game changed just two minutes into the second half when Town reduced the arrears. Bell’s long throw from the right was flicked on by Evans and Chamberlain picked out the roof of the net with a lovely finish from 12 yards. Game on. And the home fans certainly believed that when a Lloyd James high cross saw Gulls’ keeper Mark Halstead go down amidst his own defenders when challenging for the ball, leaving Ross Stearn to tidy up and fire home into the unguarded net. No goal said the referee who had already blown his whistle for what he regarded as a foul on Halstead.
The visitors had made a sedate start to the second period but reminded Town they were still there when a raid down the right saw Lapslie cut back for Ash to send a shot straight into the arms of Lavercombe. Stobbs then danced in from the left to rifle an effort narrowly over before the Peacocks made their first switch of the night, Evander Grubb replacing Stearn. Acey conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, giving McGavin an opportunity which he deposited over the stand roof as the Gulls probed to kill the game which was then interrupted for treatment after a clash of heads between Chamberlain and Lewis Collins who had only just appeared off the bench for United.
McGavin fired another shot wide before one last chance came Town’s way five minutes from time. Acey nodding a high ball into the path of Bell whose shot from just inside the box came back off the post and Grubb lashed the rebound wide of the target. Twelve minutes of stoppage ensued with the Peacocks pressing for one opportunity to exploit. Chamberlain had a sight of goal but ballooned over while Torquay managed the added time to claim victory and guarantee National League football next season. For Town though there is no get out of jail free cards left as they prepare for two massive games which will determine their fate.
Line-Ups
Taunton: Dan Lavercombe, Zac Bell, Dan Ball, Ollie Chamberlain, Lloyd James (captain) (Marcus Day 77), Nat Jarvis, Ben Acey, Rabby Tabu Minzamba, Ross Stearn (Evander Grubb 59), Cameron Evans, Callum Dolman. Unused subs: Nick Grimes, Seb Bolton, Lloyd Irish
Torquay: Mark Halstead, Arkell Jude-Boyd, Tom Lapslie, Asa Hall (captain), Brad Ash, Brett McGavin, Will Jenkins Davies, Dean Moxey, Ollie Tomlinson, Jack Stobbs (Lewis Collins 77) (Austen Booth 83), Ethon Archer. Unused subs: Rhys Lovett, Calum Thomas
Officials
Referee: Lewis Sandoe (Christchurch)
Referee’s Assistant 1: Oliver Kaya (Wokingham)
Referee’s Assistant 2: Jack Bromham (Glastonbury)
Attendance
2531
Reaction
“They kept going, they kept fighting, we couldn’t quite get it over the line ……” watch Rob Dray’s match reaction on Peacocks TV HERE
Highlights
Match highlights can be seen on Peacocks TV HERE
Photos
Match photos from club photographers Debbie Gould can be viewed HERE and Darren Harris HERE
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance MOM
Ollie Chamberlain was named the Taunton Town Man Of The Match, photo to follow
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