Dorchester Town 2
Taunton Town 2
The Peacocks grabbed a more than deserved point away to Dorchester this evening (Tuesday 17th September) extending their BetVictor Southern League unbeaten run to six matches in the process.
Both teams broke with speed during the first twenty minutes of the first half although chances were limited. Taunton were forced to make an early change on 17 minutes with Lewis Hall replacing Nick Grimes who appeared to pick up a knock during a physical start.
The deadlock was however, broken in the 27th minute when the Peacocks conceded a free-kick on the edge of their penalty area and Dorchester Town’s Charlie Davis curled a shot around the Taunton wall.
The host’s opener however, spurred on Taunton Town who were behind for only 4 minutes. The Peacock’s broke down the right wing swiftly and Shane White got behind a defender to neatly cut the ball back for Rocky Neal, who hit a firm right foot shot giving the Dorchester keeper no chance, levelling the score.
Taunton ended the first half strongly. A powerful left foot drive from Lewis Hall and a shot by Ollie Chamberlain were parried by Shane Murphy in the Dorchester goal before Rocky Neal missed a penalty in the 44th minute after a Dorchester defender was judged to have handled.
The Peacock’s began the second half on the front foot as ‘Man of the Match’ Zac Smith struck the bar and Dan Sullivan had a left foot shot blocked on the line.
It was Dorchester however, who struck to stun the visitors and take the lead again with Thomas Bath planting his left foot shot past Lloyd Irish in the 49th minute.
As the second half progressed, the Peacock’s pressed hard forcing the hosts to defend in numbers. A Rocky Neal shot flew wide of the post; Dan Sullivan was unlucky not to connect with a fine Lewis Hall left-wing cross. The introduction of Matt Wright replacing Harry Kite provided an alternative option which paid dividends almost immediately.
Appeals for a Taunton penalty were waved away despite Ollie Chamberlain appearing to be fouled inside the penalty area, and Matt ‘Socky’ Wright was unlucky not to score when his header hit the post from a Rocky Neal cross.
Dorchester threatened to break on a couple of occasions forcing Lloyd Irish into action to gather and then make an excellent save from a close-range effort. Dorchester Town then spent the majority of the closing stages defending in numbers against wave after wave of Taunton Town attacks.
Chances came and went for the Peacocks with shots from Lewis Hall and Rocky Neal, before Matt Wright was pulled down and Town missed a second penalty of the match as Murphy got down to his right and saved the spot kick. Further chances for the visitors were deflected by the Dorchester keeper who was booked for time wasting in the 89th minute.
Taunton weren’t to be denied however, grabbing a thoroughly deserved equaliser during a goalmouth scramble. Jamie Price forced the ball over the line after a goal-line clearance for a last minute equaliser to secure the point and send the travelling Peacock supporters wild.
Reaction- Head of Football Rob Dray remarked.
“Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve in this game and that was the case tonight. We dominated as the stat’s suggest. Our attitude was spot on and I take my hat off to these boys after a fantastic fightback to come back like that against everything that was thrown at them. On to Saturday”.
Photographs, full Match Report to follow.
