Havant & Waterlooville 2 Taunton Town 1

TAUNTON Town’s FA Cup adventure ended at the second qualifying round stage despite a gutsy performance against National League South outfit Havant & Waterlooville F. C on Saturday.

The ‘Full-Time’ hosts, third in the National League South started the match on top and spurned several first half chances to go in front. Jonah Ayunga saw a goal ruled out for offside before later firing over the top when well placed, while Bradley Tarbuck fizzed a shot narrowly wide of Lloyd Irish’s left hand post.

Taunton’s best chance in the first period fell to Andrew Neal, who was denied by home goalkeeper Ross Worner on 32 minutes as the visitors came into the game more.

The home side went ahead with 21 minutes left to play when Ben Adelsbury momentarily losing his bearings and heading into his own net from a Havant & Waterlooville cross into the visitor’s box.

Town fought back but the vital second goal went the way of Havant, as Andy Drury slotted home Danny Kedwell’s cutback from close range on 69 minutes. Many teams would’ve buckled at that point but, not the Peacocks. The introduction of Ryan Brett & Matt Wright spurred Town on as they pressed forwards with a flurry of attacks.

The Peacock’s ‘Man of the Match’, Shane White halved the deficit by heading home a corner in stoppage time but, despite the late barrage of pressure, including a last-gasp Ollie Chamberlain shot which, was gathered by the Havant keeper, Taunton were unable find an equaliser to force a replay.

A valiant effort, full of promise from the Peacocks against a strong side.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Jamie Short, Lewis Hall (Ryan Brett 68), Shane White (c), Ben Adelsbury, Jamie Price, Ollie Chamberlain, Harry Kite (Matt Wright 76), Dan Sullivan, Zac Smith, Andrew Neal

Attendance 473

Man of the Match: Shane White