Match Report: Taunton Town 1 – 1 Basingstoke Town – Saturday 16th August 2025

Southern League Premier South – Saturday 16th August 2025
Taunton Town 1 v 1 Basingstoke Town Attendance TBC
Where: Cygnet Health Stadium, Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, TA1 2HG
Asst Manager Aaron Nicholson’s line-up for this early tester against a tough Taunton side was: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster (Capt), 3. Joseph O’Loughlin, 4. James Dickson, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Scott Armsworth, 7. Bradley Wilson, 8. Josh Green, 10. Robbie Gallagher, 11. Joel Rollinson, 12. D’Andre Brown
On the bench: 9. Charlie Austin, 14. Dmitri Paul Hardman, , 16. James Clark & 17. Elliott Legg
Referee – Adam Wilson

Our third game of the season, took us into Somerset to take on second-placed and unbeaten Taunton Town. Basingstoke made two changes since Tuesday’s draw at Evesham Utd, with James Dickson replacing the injured Ben Cook, and Joel Rollinson coming in for George Reid, and whilst some fans were still finding their viewing point, Taunton broke down the right and a pass inside found a Taunton player with time to hit a shot past Simon Grant, to open the scoring. Taunton 1 – 0 Basingstoke.

Stoke came close to levelling two minutes from their first of numerous free-kicks for fouls on Robbie Gallagher, was half-cleared to Bradley Wilson, who volleyed a shot through the packed six-yard area, only for the keeper to palm the ball away.
It was Stoke with the next attack, as Gallagher’s run and shot from twenty-five yards, was comfortably held by the Taunton keeper.

Taunton had the next few minutes, but good work from Scott Armsworth and then Jack Ball, dealt with both attacks.

Stoke were to win two more free-kicks, but both were wasted, as they failed to beat the first defender.

The homeside created another a neat attack, but a good blocking tackle kept them out.

Stoke continued to push but attacks from both wings were overhit and did not trouble the Taunton goal.
Joel Rollinson & Gallagher were combining well down the right wing, but that final cross were being dealt with by the Taunton defence.

What was noticeable was the referee seemed oblivious to Taunton’s No.4, who continually held, push his attacker, everytime Stoke pushed forward.
Taunton had one more chance just before the break, but again good defensive work, had Stoke going into the break trailing by that solitary early goal.

Halftime Score: Taunton Town 1 – 0 Basingstoke Town
A slow start to the second-half, saw the first chance fall to the homeside, but a chipped shot over Grant, had the Taunton fans celebrating too-early as the ball hit the bar, and Stoke scrambled the ball clear.

Stoke fought back, but crosses by the byline by Rollinson and then Gallagher, were blocked by Taunton’s defence.
Calls for Charlie Austin, were rewarded as he replaced James Dickson (64 mins).

Taunton came close to adding a second, but Grant made a superb save down low.

Stoke continued to push, but that final pass continued to thwart us, but with ten minutes to go, that chance came and went as Wilson failed to take a half chance from Austin’s headed touch. as we moved into the final ten minutes of the game.
Stoke made two further changes as Joel Rollinson was replaced by Elliott Legg, and Bradley Wilson was replaced by James Clark (81 mins).

Time was running out fast, not helped by a referee who was poor on the day.
Gallagher then forced another save out of the Taunton keeper down low, winning the corner.

Stoke’s perseverance was to come to fruition as a neat passing move, saw Austin, slip the ball through to Clark, who took a touch, then slotted the ball past the Taunton keeper into the net. GOAL! Taunton Town 1 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Clark 90 mins)

The goal was still being celebrated by the Stoke faithful as chants of “We Love You, We love You, We love You” behind the goal, as we moved into the final of six minutes of added-time as the referee blew the final whistle.

Full-time Score: Taunton Town 1 v 1 Basingstoke Town
Brain 2 mins,                                        Clark 90 mins

Match Thought’s
A bright performance from Basingstoke, saw us not only finally score against a tough Taunton side, but deserve a valuable point, due to James Clark’s calm and assured finish. Strong performances by the whole side, saw us more than match Taunton for large periods of the game, were not helped by, lets say, an inconsistent referee.
We stay unbeaten with five points from nine, and sit in eighth place, as we await our opponents in tomorrow’s FA Cup draw.
Up Next:
We host Plymouth Parkway next Saturday 23rd August (KO 3pm)

Match Report by Martin French..