National League South: Taunton Town 2-1 Braintree Town

TAUNTON Town kick started their 2023/24 National League South campaign with an important win at home over Braintree Town.

It was a match that was heavily affected by the wind but two goals from the Peacocks saw them turn around an early deficit to win.

Captain Nick Grimes opened the scoring this season for Taunton, while fan favourite Ross Stearn scored the winner.

However the home side went behind within five minutes in what was a very strange goal.

Dan Lavercombe in goal on his Taunton Town league debut took a goal kick that deflected straight off striker Nnamdi's back and took the wind, sailing over Lavercombe's head and into the bottom corner. 

From there, the home side turned the tide and created some key chances themselves.

Dylan Morgan was the first to force a save when he cut inside from the wing and shot towards the top corner.

More chances came, and Nick Grimes in fact had the ball in the back of the net from a quality header before it was ruled out for offside.

Then, with the last kick of the first half, Ollie Chamberlain crossed into the middle where Grimes rose highest again to smash home a header to level the scores.

In the second period, Braintree struggled against the wind and all the action came in Taunton's end.

The Peacocks were dominant in possession and in chances, and credit to the Braintree keeper who made save after save to keep his side in it.

However with his first touch of the ball after being subbed on to the pitch, Ross Stearn pounced on a loose ball in the box to slam the ball into the roof of the net.

The crowd and in fairness, the players went wild knowing they had likely sealed the first win of the season.

The rest of the match was played at a slower pace, dominated by Taunton as they managed the result and it ended 2-1.

A strong start to the season for the Peacocks who now look to next week away against Aveley.