Pre-season friendly match
Exeter City 1, Taunton Town 1

TAUNTON Town maintained their unbeaten record in pre-season, drawing 1-1 away to League Two side Exeter City in Friday night's behind-closed-doors friendly match at the Cliff Hill training ground.

Toby Holmes gave the Peacocks an early lead and they held their ground against a strong Exeter squad, with goalkeeper Lloyd Irish producing several fine saves, only for Alex Fisher to spare the hosts' blushes.

The visitors were captained by Nick Grimes, with the classy centre-back handing head of football Rob Dray a real boost ahead of the 2020/21 season by agreeing terms - despite having a trial with Bristol Rovers over the summer.

They were almost behind after just five minutes, Taunton-born Archie Collins hitting the post, but the 10th minute brought the breakthrough at the other end.

Defender Jake Wannell picked out Holmes with a long pass, and the Peacocks' new striker knocked the ball past City keeper Jonny Maxted.

Maxted's opposite number Irish was thrust into the action five minutes after that, tipping Ryan Bowman's volley onto the crossbar, and he also had to be alert to tip away Nicky Law's corner kick delivery.

Irish got lucky on the half-hour, as his clearance was charged down by Bowman, but he made the most of that reprieve by saving two Fisher headers inside three minutes.

Holmes then turned another effort at goal, but this time Maxted saved, so it remained 1-0 at half-time.

Both sides spurned half-chances following the break, and then Irish made another superb save to touch Josh Key’s header onto the bar.

The hosts kept coming, though, and finally Irish was beaten with 15 minutes to go - Fisher turning on the edge of the area before curling the ball home.

Wannell made a block to deny another Fisher effort, and the Peacocks' rearguard effort secured them a hard-fought draw.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Jay Foulston (Ollie Chamberlain 46), Jake Mawford, Jake Wannell, Ben Adelsbury (Jordan Copp 66), Nick Grimes (c), Joe Guest (Luke Spokes 58), Lee Lucas (Callum Watts 73), Toby Holmes (Owen Howe 54), Dan Sullivan (Ross Staley 64), Gethyn Hill.