Taunton Town FC: News

Taunton Town Latest News

FROST WINS THE DAY

Following an inspection this morning (4 February) and with no prospect of the temperature rising sufficiently, Taunton's home game with Paulton Rovers was called off due to a frozen pitch. The match will be rearranged for another date in due course. The discount voucher published in the Somerset County Gazette will still be valid for the new date.

MARSH DOUBLE MAINTAINS UNBEATEN RUN

Taunton twice came from behind to share the points with Bishops Cleeve in a 3-3 draw at Wordsworth Drive this afternoon (28 January), but it could have been so much better had Town taken some gilt-edged chances. Carl Brown was allowed too much room to fire the visitors ahead after 9 minutes, with Rodney Marsh, Peter Knox and Jon Vance amongst others then failing to convert opportunities that would have put Taunton well clear. They paid the price on 31 minutes when Brown cut through the Town defence to double Cleeve's advantage. Marsh pulled a goal back when he ran through to shoot past James Nortei three minutes into the second half and Knox headed Town level after 74 minutes. Brown notched his hat trick when he capitalised on a defensive error on 80 minutes to restore Cleeve's lead but Taunton again drew level two minutes later via Marsh's header from Simon Ingram's cross. Paul Edwards then pulled off a great save near the end to preserve equality. Match report now online.

WEEKEND NEWS

This news should have been printed in this week's Somerset County Gazette but they omitted in error:

Taunton Town welcome back Rodney Marsh and Peter Knox for this Saturday’s Evo-Stik League encounter with Bishops Cleeve at Wordsworth Drive. Marsh returns after serving a three game suspension whilst striker Knox should also be available, although his selection will depend on his recovery from the hamstring injury that forced his early withdrawal from the game versus Tiverton a fortnight ago. Knox’s appearances are restricted due to his work as a prison officer in Yorkshire, but he is awaiting a transfer back to the West Country and could be available on a more regular basis in the future.

Home town player Marsh has no such geographical obstacles, and his return to Saturday’s squad is keenly anticipated by manager Paul West. “In my opinion Rodney is one of the best players in our league”, said West,” and it’s a massive bonus to have him back. We are not the same team without him and it is no coincidence that when he was injured last season, we fell by the wayside.” Marsh has also suffered injury problems this campaign and underwent an operation in the autumn, meaning he has amassed only eight league appearances but has still scored six goals.

Town will be out to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered against mid-table Bishops Cleeve back in August. West continued:” Against Abingdon we were disappointing in the first half but much better in the second. If we had kept eleven players on the pitch, I have no doubt we would have gone on to win the game. Discipline has cost us again and the players have got to learn. Saying that, I thought we showed good character to get something out the game after going behind. We still have 14 League matches to play and we are also in the quarter finals of the Somerset Premier Cup so there’s a lot left to play for”.

The attendance for the match with Abingdon was Taunton’s lowest of the season but the club are making efforts to try and attract the floating fan. Club Secretary Andy Power remarked:” Although Saturday’s gate was disappointing, we still have the sixth best average attendance in our division. Ultimately it is results and performances on the pitch that are the major influence on crowd size but the club are always considering other incentives to get more people to watch. There will be a voucher in next week’s Gazette offering half price adult admission and free entry to Under 18’s for one of the following two home games, and another offer will appear before the season finishes.”

TOWN BATTLE BACK TO SHARE THE SPOILS

Taunton recovered from the dismissal of Jamie Short and going a goal behind to score a late equaliser and earn a 1-1 draw with Abingdon United at Wordsworth Drive this afternoon (21 January). There were no goals in the first half, with Town using the wind on several occasions to try their luck from distance. Taunton were getting on top when Short was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Curtis Angell on 62 minutes, and eight minutes later Sam Collier converted a penalty after Simon Ingram was penalised for a challenge on Ricky Allaway. With time running out, Ingram fired home a loose ball to salvage a point. Match report now online.

Luke Cole in aerial challenge Photo Rob Thomas

Jon Vance heads clear Photo Rob Thomas

TOWN EASE INTO NEXT ROUND

A Somerset Premier Cup quarter final at Larkhall Athletic awaits Taunton after they sealed a 4-0 win at neighbours Wellington tonight (18 January). Fielding a starting line-up containing four of the club's Under 18 side, Town took the lead on 14 minutes when James Blake crashed the ball inside Wayne Lawrence's left post, and had several other chances to extend the lead before the break. It wasn't until the 80th minute that Town converted their dominance into goals when Jamie Short volleyed home from close in. Substitute Simon Ingram's free kick made it 3-0 on 83 minutes and three minutes later the same player tucked home his effort into the corner for his second of the night. James Garrad's lob hit the crossbar for the home side near the end. Match report now online.

TIVERTON WIN IN LOCAL DERBY

Friday 13th certainly proved unlucky for Taunton as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Tiverton Town last night (13 January). Town were never at the races against their Devon visitors who made the best possible start within the first minute when George Painter headed past Paul Edwards for an own goal. Taunton then suffered a further blow when striker Peter Knox limped off on 16 minutes. David Steele capitalised on some slack Town play to stretch Tiverton's lead after 54 minutes but lacklustre Taunton were unable to mount a fightback in front of a season's best crowd of 387. Match report now online.

FIRST AWAY LEAGUE DRAW OF THE SEASON

A Rodney Marsh goal ensured Taunton gained a share of the spoils as they drew 1-1 at Wimborne Town yesterday afternoon (7 January). Both goalkeepers made one important save each during a goalless first half; Paul Edwards saved Jamie Davidson's penalty awarded for a foul by Phil Veal whilst Jason Harvell tipped a Darren Rice shot past the post. Town took the lead on 52 minutes when Marsh ran through to crack the ball home with the home side equalising seven minutes later through Ryan Wignall's header. Despite chances at either end, both teams had to settle for a point. Match report now online.

Rodney Marsh takes aim at Wimborne. Photo Rob Thomas

Phil Veal, Darren Rice and Tim Legg spot the ball Photo Rob Thomas

MASCOT ON PARADE

Taunton Town Matchday Mascot for the home game with Clevedon Town was 11 year old Ross Edwards. Ross is the son of Taunton goalkeeping coach Paul who has stepped into play in recent games due to Lee Matthews being suspended. Ross led the teams out before lining up for a pre-match photo.

L to R: Darren Rice (Taunton captain), Kevin Williams (assistant), Ross Edwards, Adam Penwell (referee), Peter Mawhood (assistant), Ashley Kington (Clevedon captain).

TAUNTON GAIN DESERVED DERBY WIN

A late free kick from Simon Ingram gave Town a 2-1 victory at Bridgwater Town this afternoon (2 January). It was no more than Taunton deserved after being the better side but finding themselves a goal down at the interval after Ollie Barnes header crossed the line despite George Painter's efforts to keep it out. Peter Knox scored against his previous club to equalise for Taunton after 66 minutes, slotting home Darren Rice's long ball into the box. Rice was then sent off after kicking out at Neil Peek before Ingram curled home a free kick with a minute remaining to hand Town their first win in nine games. Match report now online.

TEN-MAN CLEVEDON SNATCH LATE POINT

A 90th minute goal from Clevedon Town substitute Jordan Walker denied Taunton a much needed victory as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Wordsworth Drive this evening (30 December). Peter Knox gave Taunton the lead three minutes before the break, turning in the box to fire home a left foot shot past Jason Mellor. Town's prospects improved even further when Matt Thorne was dismissed for the visitors after a bad tackle on Andy Butler. However Taunton did not make their numerical advantage count and slack play at the death led to Walker finishing neatly past stand-in keeper Paul Edwards and leave Town to rue dropped points. Match report now online.