Christmas Cheer For Peacocks

With Taunton hovering just above the relegation zone, after what has been a testing couple of months for the club, many supporters felt, this had became a must-win game. One look at the league table will show just how tight this division actually is, with only 9 points separating 12 clubs. It really has became a case of winning 2 or 3 games to witness a club leap from the drop zone to a potential play-off position.

For the first 20 or so minutes of this match, the game went from end to end, with Taunton having a slight edge. Most eyes were on the return of the prodigal son Jack Rice. Although we only have Jack on loan for a month this time around. The 24 year old did not disappoint. Right from the onset he got inside Poole keeper Cameron Plains head, winning the psychological battle hands down. Oh yes, Jack was playing a very clever game indeed. It was Poole that had the first shot on goal, which Josh Gould smothered with ease. Taunton were awarded 3 corners in the space of a few minutes, which were dealt with admirably by the defence of Poole. The ref keeping a close eye on the niggly, close-act shenanigans of messrs Rice and Plain. Just before the 25 minute mark, the game turned on its head, with a decision that quite honestly gave the official no option, but to red card the keeper. With Rice and Plain running for a loose ball that had gone out of the box, the keeper put his arm around the Taunton players neck, and threw him to the turf. Rice went down in a heap, as all hell broke loose, with many players becoming involved. To rub salt into wounds, within 2 minutes, Taunton were 1-0 up, courtesy of…..Jack Rice! And what a well taken goal it was! With no substitute keeper on the bench, Poole put their number 5 Jamie Whisken between the sticks. The Peacocks were to take full advantage of the situation. From the edge of the box, Rice struck the ball with the trajectory of a Luke Littler dart aiming for the treble 20, which found the gap through the crowded goalmouth, leaving the hapless stand-in keeper glued to the spot. At last the quiet Peacocks faithful behind the goal had a moment to celebrate.

The Taunton attacks continued, with a shoot on sight strategy. Tom Smith hit one, that caught Poole defender Staunton straight in the Maris Pipers, now that must have hurt. Tauntons passing of the ball involving several players was paying dividends, with one link-up, in and around the box ending with ”Mr Reliable” Jacob Hodgson scoring Taunton’s second, as he slipped the ball past the tormented Poole defence and into the net. The dying minutes of the half, with 7 added minutes, saw Taunton pile on the pressure, a Brain corner again cleared. A shot from Rice fly wide. With the half coming to a close, Taunton made their first substitution with the ever-consistent Alfie Moulden replacing scorer Hodgson. Which i can only assume was for a knock Hodgo had received whilst hitting his goal home.

The 2nd half was a different affair from the first 45 altogether. Luffers preferring the safe and sensible approach to one of going all out for goals, and possibly leaving the defence exposed. The plan worked a treat! Poole, had made a change themselves in preferring to play Staunton in goal, opting for Whisken to revert back to his defender role. It was Taunton that were to have the first shot of the half, when a Harris Feltham effort flew over the bar. Then after good work between Moulden and Brain, another effort went the same way…skywards. Slowly but surely, Poole upped their attacks, all to no avail, with Josh rarely troubled. Smith had reverted to a more deeper role, which reinforced the Peacocks defence. The passing from the back exquisite, as we took advantage of the extra man. These were tactics we have not witnessed at Taunton for a long time. More subs were made, as the clocked ticked down. Purrington on for Brain, and Corrick on for Nielsen. We were to hit the Poole net a 3rd time, after Staunton fumbled, unfortunately, Jack Matthews effort was ruled offside. As the clock showed 4-45, new signing Chris Zabroski was introduced into the game for man of the match Jack Rice. And to be fair, for the few minutes he was on the field, he looked very lively. Now Chris may well be the wrong side of 35, but consider this. The great Sir Stanley Matthews was still playing top level football at the age of 50! Also, boxer Tyson Fury put in a very warrior-like performance last night, in his title fight at the age of 36. Age really is, just a number . This was a top notch, well thought out performance from TTFC, with great displays all over the field. Very promising to see Owen Brain and Eddie Jones back in action, with the latest arrivals of Rice and Zabroski giving fans confidence and inspiration for the Boxing Day clash with rivals Tiverton.