Match Preview: Southern League Premier South
Taunton Town vs Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 16th August 2025 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Cygnet Health Stadium, Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, TA1 2HG
Taunton Town (The Peacocks), 2024-25 League Finish 9th
An important point that could have been three at Evesham, sees us head to second-placed unbeaten Taunton Town tomorrow afternoon, with lots to put right from last season’s results at the Peacocks. After initially losing in the FA Trophy, we then lost by a 2-0 scoreline both in Somerset and Winklebury in the league matches.
Our Opponents
The Peacocks are still managed by Richard Luffman, who previously managed Otterbourne, Alresford, and Cribbs where he lead the team to the Hellenic League Title alongside a League Cup. Luffman, left Cribbs to join Taunton in February 2024, when they sat in third place of the Southern League Division One.
Taunton enter this season, as one of the pre-season favourites, and have started in that fashion with two wins from their opening two games. Having won on the road 3-2 at Havant last Saturday, they followed this up with a 2-1 home win against last season’s Southern League Division 1 South Champions, Yate Town on Wednesday night.
Their forward line starts with Kane Simpson, who scored twenty times last season in Merthyr’s Championship winning title. He has found the net twice already this season, and has previously played for Frome Town, Paulton Rovers, Swindon Supermarine & Tiverton Town. Owen Brain, returns for his second season at the club, having joined from Gloucester City. He has also had stints at Bristol Manor Farm, Merthyr Town & Yate Town. Alfie Moulden signed in the summer of 2024 from Tiverton Town and brings a wealth of experience at this level, having previously played for Weston-super-Mare, Bideford, Guiseley, Plymouth Parkway, and Willand Rovers. Another striker is Alfie Moulden and another ex-Tiverton player who joined the Peacocks in the summer of 2024, and has a wealth of experience including time at Western-Super-Mare & Plymouth Parkway. Ben Seymour, has found the net already this season, having joined on a season-long loan from Torquay United. His pre-season form showed he’s among the best forwards in the division when firing. He spent the latter half of the 2024–25 season on loan at AFC Totton
Tom Purrington returns for another season, having been at Plymouth Parkway. A consistent performer last season, he was a standout in midfield and will be a key asset again this year. Josh Owens, joined from title-winning Yeovil Town during the 2024–25 season, but an injury cut his campaign short. Now fully fit, the former Bristol City Academy midfielder is eager to make an impact in the heart of midfield this season. Jayden Nielsen arrived from Bristol Manor Farm in summer 2024, also having made the Division One South Team of the Season. A dynamic wide player, he’s comfortable on either wing — able to strike with his left foot or cut inside from the right. 20-year-old Jacob Towns is a highly rated young midfielder, Jacob signed from Hartpury University FC after a standout 2024–25 season that saw his side reach the FA Vase semi-finals and win the Hellenic Premier Division.
Nick Grimes, is The Peacocks’ longest-serving player, with a brief spell away at Bath City in the summer of 2024 before returning midway through the 2024–25 season. He was handed the armband again in summer 2025. Calm and composed at the back, Nick adds strength and leadership to the defence. Also returning in defence this season, is centre-back Ollie Woodhouse, who re- signed from Bristol Manor Farm in 2024, having played 150 times for Great Wakering Rovers, and then Roman St Glass. Niall Thompson, joined from rivals Tiverton Town in the summer of 2025 after helping them retain their status in the league on the final day of the season. He began his career at the Torquay United Academy and had loan spells at Weymouth and Bideford before a six-year stint with Truro City.
In goal will be Frankie Phillips, signed on a season-long loan from Exeter City, Frankie Phillips became The Peacocks’ new number one following the departure of Josh Gould in the summer of 2025.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
Four points from six, from our opening two games, gives us a good start to the season, with strong play in all areas of the team. George Reid’s second goal of the season, was just part of the good attacking play we created with Robbie Gallagher and Bradley Wilson, who at times had Evesham pinned into their final third of the pitch, but we sadly missed that No.9 striker, when numerous crosses were fed into the six-yard box.
The strikeforce is likely to remain the same whilst Charlie Austin works his way back into fitness, and Liam Ferdinand recovers from injury. Joel Rollinson brought some life into the game when he came on, and could play a bigger part tomorrow, but it looks like Wilson, Gallagher & Reid will be our attacking threats up front.
The midfield dominated large chunks of the Evesham game, and although Ben Cook may miss tomorrow through injury, D’Andre Brown, put in a strong performance and will play alongside Josh Green, who appeared to play in a more holding role on Tuesday. If Cook is missing, then could Rollinson get a start here, or does Connor Barratt missing from Tuesday’s squad, get a recall. I assume James Dickson, is still not ready to go.
The defence which conceded its first goal of the season, was rarely under pressure until the second-half and only gave half-chances then, but Evesham were able to take one of those to level the game. With the good news that Billy Upto is now a father (Congrats to both Billy & Amber), he may be back for the trip to Taunton. Jack Ball was at his best, making some key tackles on Tuesday, and Scott Armsworth was a worthy replacement. Unless something changes then Markus Johnson-Schuster and Joe O’Loughlin will be the backs. Elliott Legg is likely to be an option of the bench with James Clark.
Simon Grant did very little wrong on Tuesday, and very little chance with the Evesham goal.
We go into tomorrow’s game with both teams unbeaten, but Taunton as the firm favourites. However, we have a real big test tomorrow, and some points would be a big marker for the season.
For those going, let’s get behind the players.
Match Preview by Martin French..
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