Match Report: Taunton Town 2 – 0 Basingstoke Town – Saturday 1st February 2025

Southern League Premier South – Saturday 1st February 2025
Taunton Town 2 v 0 Basingstoke Town Attendance 734
Where: Cygnet Health Stadium, Wordsworth Drive, Taunton, TA1 2HG
Manager Dan Brownlie added new signing Jayden Brissett to a starting line-up of : 1. Simon Grant, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. James Clark, 4. Rudy Allen, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Jayden Brissett, 8. Ben Cook, 9.Liam Ferdinand, 10. Sam Deadfield, 11. Robbie Gallagher
On the bench: Lewis Colwell, George Reid, Pele Koulsseoue, Flynn Bolton & Scott Armsworth
Referee – Bailey Walker

There was no significant chances in the opening ten minutes,
Taunton then took the lead after we lost possession at the back, and they made us pay slotting the ball past Simon Grant in goal. Taunton 1-0 Basingstoke

Stoke then created two half-chances, the first from a Sam Deadfield free-kick that flew across the face of the goal, with Billy Upton inches away from getting that vital touch. Secondly good work by Liam Ferdinand who turned his marker inside the penalty area, but his shot flew a foot wide of the left-hand post.

Taunton were next with a chance, but Simon Grant did well to push a low-down shot out for a corner.

Ferdinand then glanced his header inches wide from a Robbie Gallagher cross.
New signing Jayden Brissett then created a yard of space just inside the penalty before he fired his shot wide of the left-hand post.

Taunton had the next few minutes of play, but failed to trouble Grant in goal.

Stoke should have drawn level with five minutes to the break, but a cross found Ben Cook open inside the five yards out, but he mis-timed his header, and it flew straight to the Taunton keeper.
Stoke had the final little bit of pressure, before the break but Taunton blocked two shots, and we went into the break trailing by the early goal.

Halftime Score: Taunton Town 1 v 0 Basingstoke Town
It was a quiet start to the second-half, with little to note in the opening few minutes, until the home side attacked, but their forward fortunately dragged the ball wide of the far right-hand post.

Stoke and Cook then failed to level for the second-time as Cook was open in front of goal, but failed to beat the keeper from four yards, as the keeper blocked his shot.

Upton was then forced into a good defensive header from a dangerous Taunton cross.
The game continued with little goalmouth action until Gallagher beat his defender on the right, but his shot/cross was heled by the keeper.

It was time for Stoke’s first changes, and it was a double change with Ben Cook replaced by Pele Koulsseoue and Robbie Gallagher replaced by George Reid (73 mins).

Taunton continued to hold us at arms-length and we were struggling to put their keeper under pressure, as their defence blocked Reid on the wing and a shot from Deadfield on the edge of the penalty area.

Taunton then doubled their lead as they broke but despite an initial good save from Grant, the rebound is slotted home. Taunton 2-0 Basingstoke

Stoke then before the restart made their third change with Rudy Allen, replaced by Scott Armsworth (85 mins).
The referee allowed five minutes of added-time with nothing to note, and then blew the final whistle and Stoke headed home to Hampshire with nothing but a long journey.

Full-time Score: Taunton Town 2 v 0 Basingstoke Town
Zebroski 12 mins,
Humphrey- Ewers 85 mins,

Match Thought’s
Numerous half-chances were missed today, that ultimately cost us once again. Taunton are a dogged but uninspiring Taunton side. Our third loss to Taunton this season, and without finding a goal.
One fan commented, that’s five wins in five months, which is relegation form, especially with tough matches in the coming weeks.
Jayden Brissett showed some skill & pace at times, but the fans will be looking for goals from him in the coming games.
Up Next:
We head to the league leaders Merthyr Town this Tuesday evening (4th) KO 7.45pm

Match Report by Martin French..

 

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