National League South: Havant and Waterlooville 3-2 Taunton Town

The Hampshire side gained revenge for their recent defeat at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium as they scored a late winner to condemn the Peacocks to defeat, writes Andy Power.

Sometimes we witness games that have just about everything and for a neutral, this one would quite possibly be a 10 out of 10 one.

For a Taunton fan, it left a bitter taste of real disappointment, as we made the journey back to Somerset with zero points, despite our team playing the game of their lives against a club that have not been out of the top three all season.

With several players rested on the bench, this gave the chance for new signings Ollie Tomlinson and Cameron Evans to stake their claims and they did not disappoint.

The game kicked off at a ferocious pace, and it was the home team that came out of the traps quickest, going for an early goal which they got within 10 minutes.

Hawks’ top scorer Mo Faal caused all kinds of problems, as he teased the Town defence with his twists and turns, playing his part in a major assist for his Callum Kealy to fire home.

And still the pressure on our defence persisted, as we put up the brick wall. Many of us began to think this could be another Ebbsfleet, where we endured a 5-0 defeat. Slowly but surely though, the Peacocks fought their way back into the game.

Town’s opening goal came just after the half hour. Sims-Burgess the provider after some wizardry in turning his man and putting in a fine cross which Cam Evans headed home. Make no mistake, this was Cam’s goal, despite the tannoy announcement that it was a og.

Onto the second 45 minutes. My word, if the first half was a slow burner for Taunton, then the second was an inferno!

The Peacocks attacked with more venom, with the bit well and firmly between our teeth, the belief that we could win this now totally installed in our players mentality. And what a goal we were to witness from Dylan Morgan.

Picking the ball up around the half way line, he jinked himself past two players, before unleashing his very own Morgan ”Exocet” Missile which will push Nick McCootie’s goal at Weymouth all the way for goal of the season.

Taunton were now totally in control as they went for a 3rd goal, which surely would have seen the desired victory.

James Roberts’s shot skimmed the top of the post until with just over 20 minutes remaining, the home team made it 2-2 at a period when we were pinned down in our box, Faal prodding home after a cross from Sam Matthews.

As the tannoy announced there would be five minutes of injury time to be played, Town fans felt sure they would be going home with a well-earned point.

But as in the games with Bath and away at Oxford, we showed again just how vulnerable we are in added on time, as Havant broke our hearts with a 91st minute winner when a corner was played short and Matthews curled a shot over Bycroft from the right edge of the box.

Football can sure be cruel at times as it would be hard to argue the Peacocks did not deserve at least a point. Onto Tuesday when Town host 4th placed Oxford City.