Match Preview: Southern League Premier South
Taunton Town vs Basingstoke Town
When: Saturday 1st February 2025 Kick-off 3pm
Where: Cygnet Health Stadium, Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, TA1 2HG
Taunton Town (The Peacocks), Avg 2024-25 Home Att 673
Our loss last week despite scoring three goals at home to Hanwell Town, now has us sitting in mid-table in eleventh place, as we travel to Somerset on take on A Taunton Town side for the third time this season.
We played the Peacocks initially down in Somerset in October in the FA Trophy, and despite a reasonable performance, a controversial goal saw us exit from the cup. Two weeks later we hosted them in the league, and the Peacocks were worthy winners with a goal in each half.
Our Opponents
The Peacocks are 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.
The Peacocks now sit on the edge of the playoff places in seventh place with a record of Pld 26 Won 9 Drawn 9 Lost 8 and 36pts. Their leading goalscorer is still ex Bath City midfielder Tom Smith with eight goals. Smith who sports noticeable long ginger hair, is also the Peacocks captain and played over 260 games for Bath over a seven year, after spells at Swindon Supermarine & Cheltenham Town. They recently added 18-year-old Brandon Bak to their strikeforce who is on loan from Weston-Super-Mare till the end of the season. Attacking midfielder Jack Rice-Lethaby, who we have seen playing for Tiverton, joined in December on loan from Chorley. He has found the net four times since arriving. Aysa Corrick (two goals), has played for a number of clubs based in the South-West, more recently Evesham Town, Larkhall, Paulton Rovers and two spells at Yate Town.
Apart from Tom Smith in midfield, they have Tom Purrington, who joined from Plymouth Parkway in the summer. Purrington has three league goals. His previous clubs include Dorchester Town, Tiverton Town and Plymouth Argyle’s academy. Owen Brain, has found the net four times after signing from Gloucester City in the summer, having previously had stints at Bristol Manor Farm, Merthyr Town & Yate Town. Whilst Alfie Moulden is another ex-Tiverton player who joined the Peacocks in the summer, and has a wealth of experience including time at Western-Super-Mare & Plymouth Parkway. He has now added five league goals. Another signing from Cribbs is Harris Feltham, who previously spent time at Eastleigh & Cardiff Met. Yet another Cribbs player who followed Luffman to Taunton is Jacob Hodgson.
In defence they have Ollie Woodhouse, who signed from Bristol Manor Farm, having played 150 times for Great Wakering Rovers, and then Roman St Glass. Toby Down is another player who was picked up from Plymouth Parkway, and has spent periods at Tiverton and previously at Taunton as well. Centre-back Nick Grimes, joined the club at the end of November from Bath City. Grimes, previously had spells at Tiverton & Truro City. 33-year-old Eddie Jones signed from National League South side Chippenham Town in July, after spells at Bath City, Forest Green Rovers, Gloucester City, AFC Telford, and Oxford City. Jack Matthews’ loan deal has been extended until the end of the season. On loan from Championship side Plymouth Argyle. In goal will likely be Josh Gould, who has signed from AFC Totton. The highly rated 27-year-old goalkeeper was born in Taunton.
Our Basingstoke Town Side
Despite scoring three goals, last Saturday, defensive errors cost us all three points and we slipped down to eleventh in the table. Ben Cook’s first league goal of the season, brought us back level going into the break, before James Clark’s penalty conversion levelled the scoring for a second-time, just before the hour mark. However, a late Liam Ferdinand goal was the only response to two further Hanwell goals, and we fell four-three for our second loss in a row. Our record now stands at Pld 27 Won 8 Drawn 10 Lost 9 and 34pts.
Striker Liam Ferdinand now has thirteen goals on the season, and with the fact that Nnamdi Nwachuku’s was released from the club last week, the club have just announced the signing of striker Jaden Brissett who was at Hampton & Richmond earlier this season, after playing at Southall last season scoring a thirty-five goals. This means that Academy player Charlie Barlow will be one option likely off the bench, whilst Jonny Efedje is out on dual-registration at Westfield. Pele Koussioue is regarded as an attacking winger and is likely to play opposite ever-hardworking Robbie Gallagher. With the understanding that George Reid is back in training, he may be an option off the bench, but knowing Taunton’s pitch, are we prepared to risk him for this game?
There is likely to be very little change in midfield, unless we decide to set-up differently. This means Rudy Allen & Sam Deadfield will continue their partnership here, with Ben Cook the other probable starter here. With Luis Le Paih out on dual-registration, it leaves Flynn Bolton back now from his time at Bracknell and Aleks Kokoszka who has shown he can
The defence is likely to see Marcus Johnson-Schuster once more on the right, and James Clark continuing on the left. The two centre-back should be Billy Upton & Jack Ball. This means Scott Armsworth and on-loan Lewis Colwell as options off the bench. In goal will be Simon Grant who will be looking to not repeat his error last week.
With the new signing of Jaden Brissett, will the club look to push two players upfront in an effort to give Liam Ferdinand the support he deserves.
Following back-to-back losses, this will be a tough task for us to get something from the game, as Taunton will be looking to continue their promotion playoff push.
The weather is expected to be grey, but dry, so why not take the trip down the A303 and get behind the players tomorrow afternoon.
Match Preview by Martin French..