Southern League Division One S&W

Marlow 0 Taunton Town 1

A LEWIS Powell strike after just forty seconds on Tuesday night eventually saw Taunton through to a narrow victory that propelled them up to third in the table, writes James Wright.

To have to undertake one of their longest trips of the season in midweek, the initial fixture having been postponed on the first Saturday in November, was a tough ask for the Peacocks.

Their problems were compounded by the absence of top scorer Jordan Rogers who was suspended, and dependable centre back Rob Farkins, away on flood relief duties in Yorkshire.

The stand-ins, Owen Irish at the back and Craig Veal up front, performed admirably as Taunton entirely dominated the first half.

Town’s journey up from the West Country was fraught by traffic problems on the M4, the team only arriving at the ground just before 7.30pm which meant kick-off was delayed by fifteen minutes.

All the more surprising therefore that they were ahead within a minute.

A drive from Josh Searle was beaten out, Dale Evans header back into the box dropping conveniently for Powell to jab home as the home defence froze, seemingly awaiting an offside decision.

Taunton were the better side during a dismal first half.

After the early breakthrough, the next shot at goal did not come until the 26th minute, an Owen Irish drive curling away from Simon Grant’s right-hand post.

Town’s best opportunities arose when Jamie Short got behind the home defence.

Ten minutes before the interval the marauding midfielder threaded a pass that just begged to be prodded home right along the goal-line.

Then he set up Veal whose cross-cum-shot appeared to be handled by a defender, but referee Martin Bloor was uninterested in Town’s appeals.

Injury forced pivotal midfielder Evans to withdraw at half time, to be replaced by Aidan Chainey, but this switch could not fully explain a bizarre turnaround in the match.

Just as in their previous game at Larkhall on Boxing Day, Taunton were pressed back for most of the second period.

Marlow, who had managed only one attempt at goal before the break, signalled their intentions immediately after the restart with a Sam Bangura free kick that was pouched by Lloyd Irish.

Richie Whittingham then pulled a shot wide before Irish pulled off two superlative saves, firstly from Jordace Holder-Spooner and then Allen Bossman, expertly teed up by Jordan Brown.

A more regulation save from Phil John a minute from time saw Taunton through to a somewhat scrambled victory and to within four points of leaders Cinderford Town whose fixture at Bridgwater was postponed.