TAUNTON Town were thrashed 5-0 by Exeter City in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday night, writes Jacob Tyson.

This was the first home game for the Peacocks with fans allowed into the ground in for more than 250 days, with 661 in attendance at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium.

The visitors fielded a strong side, with a blend of exciting youth talent and some better-known League 2 regulars, including former Peacock loanee, Harry Kite.

City started strong and went 1-0 up within the first five minutes. A ball whipped in from the right deflected off striker Ben Seymour, beating Town’s veteran keeper Lloyd Irish.

Rob Dray’s men struggled early on, playing multiple long balls to no avail.

This Exeter City side looked physical and fast on the ball, comfortably controlling the possession.

Taunton had their best chance of the game on the 20-minute mark, with striker Toby Holmes taking the ball past Exeter’s keeper, but he failed to find the back of the net as his effort hit the post from a tight angle.

Ollie Chamberlain then played a great ball through to Jaron Lewington, who struck just over the bar.

However, Exeter continued to dominate but failed to punish the hosts, heading into half time at 1-0.    

But early in the second half, City striker Seymour bagged his second of the game to double the visitor’s lead.

The Grecians then went 3-0 up through Jevani Brown’s strike nestling in the bottom corner.

The Peacock’s were starting to be pulled apart by Exeter, with the Grecians’ coach making a full 11 changes to his side after 60 minutes.

Rob Dray attempted to hit back, making five substitutions of his own, but the home side were being outclassed.

Substitute Sam Nombe looked threatening for the visitors and had plenty of chances before tapping in to make it 4-0.

City showed no signs of slowing down, and that man Nombe struck a sizzling strike from 20 yards to make it 5-0 in the 82nd minute.

Taunton will look to bounce back when they take on local side Bishops Lydeard on Tuesday, July 20, for a 7.45pm kick off.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Ben Adelsbury, Lee Lucas, Ollie Chamberlain, Toby Holmes, Dan Sullivan, Joe Guest, Jay Goodall, Ross Staley, Jaron Lewington, Zak Smith.
Bench: Gethyn Hill, Dan McBeam, 6 x Trialists