The Peacocks recovered from trailing at the break to gain a comfortable 4-2 Evo-Stik League win over Wimborne Town at the Viridor Stadium yesterday afternoon (10th October).

A bright Town start was dampened after 12 minutes when the visitors grabbed the lead with their first attempt, Sam Davidson threading a pass through to Curtis Young who fired past Lloyd Irish from the edge of the box. Town pressed for an equaliser, with Craig Veal drilling a shot off the angle of bar and post before the Peacocks drew level seven minutes into the second half when Ryan Brett collected the ball to weave through a couple of defenders and slot home past Benfield.

Within six minutes Taunton were ahead after Brett’s shot had rebounded off the bar for Dan Sullivan to hook home.  Matt Wright beat his man on the right to fire in the cross for Veal to steer home Taunton’s third after 73 minutes and Sullivan’s effort then glanced the far post. The points were wrapped up after 78 minutes when Wright’s strike from the right side of the box beat Benfield at his near post for number four before the Peacocks were caught napping seven minutes from time when Jack Lovell reduced the deficit, tucking the ball through Irish’s legs after latching onto Luke Burbidge’s pass. The Peacocks had done enough though as they consolidated their spot in the top three and now look forward to Wednesday evening’s home encounter with Walton Casuals.

Reaction | Head of Football Rob Dray remarked: “Patience was important yesterday as we felt if we got one goal they would struggle to contain our attacking threat and that’s what happened. We missed chances in the first half but we kept going, carried on working hard and made up enough in the second half to dominate a good footballing side. I was disappointed with a minority’s reaction at half time with the booing, everybody gets frustrated but the game is 90 minutes. We had played well in the first half and worked hard and created chances but there is no given right to beat any team at this level by four or five. It’s important we all stick together and don’t get too high or too low – we are still not the finished article and will make mistakes!”

Goalscorer Craig Veal said: “An important three points that keeps us right up there when many teams didn’t play in the league. Even being 1-0 down at half time we were very confident that we were going to score goals and win the game. Rob and Matt were happy with the way we passed the ball but said we needed to press higher and faster and play with a little more intensity. We did this second half and we said at half time that once we scored one, that more would follow, it was just a case of putting our chances away. I think the way we moved the ball was quality at times and we scored some good goals. Overall a good team performance and we were pleased with the win. Once again, a special mention to the fans who braved the weather as they were fantastic yet again!”