TAUNTON Town travelled to Dorset on Saturday to take on Dorchester Town in a wet and windy affair, writes Jacob Tyson.

The hosts 3G artificial pitch saving this game from being abandoned, unlike many others in the Southern Premier South.

It was the Peacocks who started brightest with Jared Lewington’s glancing header the first chance of the game. Taunton were looking to continue their unbeaten run – which span the last 8 games.

Ollie Chamberlain looked to score from long range, but his effort was safely kept out by the Dorchester keeper.

Then came the breakthrough, a superb cross from Zak Smith finding the head of Lewington, who tucked it home in the 16th minute.

Taunton looked to make it two with Chamberlain’s effort being tipped over the bar.

Dorchester had a chance to equalise but an incredible sliding stop by Buse to recover from the Dorchester striker Koszela, who’s on loan from Torquay, going around him kept the hosts at bay.

There was a worrying sight on the brink of half time for Taunton fans, as top scorer Toby Holmes went down holding his ankle, and he did not return for the second half.

Holmes strike partner Lewington also went down and was forced off injured. Taunton took to the second half with a new strike partnership in Gethyn Hill and Dan Sullivan.

Ross Stearn lobbed the ball into the net but was flagged for offside.

The second half was all about game management for the Peacocks, running down the clock at every chance, and holding onto that one nil lead.

 

Tensions grew towards the final whistle, with the referee questionably sending members of the Peacocks management team off. Taunton managed to see out the extensive six minutes of additional time, claiming all 3 points and climbing into the play off positions.

Peacocks boss Rob Dray was delighted with the result: “It’s a fantastic win, 1-0 away is my favourite type of win, and I thought we thoroughly deserved it.”

The result takes Taunton to a nine-game unbeaten run, Dray said: “We’re building a nice little run now, but we’ll keep our heads down, and get on with the next one.”

Taunton take on Paulton Rovers in the League Challenge Cup, home at The Cygnet Healthcare Stadium, on Tuesday January 11th.