National League South: Hemel Hempstead Town 1-0 Taunton Town

TAUNTON Town were denied a share of the spoils as they lost 1-0 at Hemel Hempstead Town in the Vanarama National League South on Saturday (November 11) afternoon, writes Andy Power.

It was a fourth successive National League South match without finding the net proved the Peacocks’ downfall as they succumbed to a last minute winner in Hertfordshire.

At least in their three previous games there had been opportunities created but the 90 minutes at Vauxhall Road generated meagre pickings with little to enthuse the travelling faithful from a forgettable contest.

Three changes were implemented from the midweek county cup game including a first start for Malachi Linton since August following a lengthy spell out injured and overall the Yeovil loanee did well as he returns to match fitness.

The first opening came the hosts’ way when Tarrelle Whittaker’s centre found Daniel Powell who shot into the side netting at the far post, but it was an uneventful start with neither side asking too many questions.

The Peacocks enjoyed a briefly promising spell just past the half hour. Their most fluent move of the half involving Lee Lucas, Zac Smith and Linton unfortunately ended with an offside flag before a Hemel defender failed to deal with a Lucas ball forward, allowing Linton a glimpse at goal from close range but home keeper Craig King smothered at his post at the expense of a corner.

Sadly the second half saw even fewer glimmers from the visitors as the Tudors began to engineer the clearer openings.

Linton made way for Nat Jarvis while Hemel’s proficiency in front of goal was again found wanting when a Josh Williams corner was headed back across by Ajayi to reach skipper Josh Hill who volleyed over although chances were not exactly plentiful at either end.

Nick McCootie replaced Ross Stearn midway through the half and the Town substitute worked hard to try and turn the tide in his side’s favour.

Two consecutive corners for the hosts with five minutes remaining gave Hemel further hope, the second seeing a header reaching Chris Smith to prod over but when the same player blazed high.

Unfortunately the final minute saw the home side get the ball in the box, an initial shot was blocked by Foulston, with the loose ball being driven into the roof of the net by Montel McKenzie to grab the points for the Tudors.

Not much else to say for a disappointing performance from the Peacocks who should have had enough in their armoury to get some reward but whose lack of creativity and one lapse of concentration proved their undoing.