Isuzu FA Trophy: Welling 2-2 (8-7 penalties) Taunton Town

TAUNTON Town have been knocked out of the Isuzu FA Trophy after a long-winded penalty shootout against Welling.

The match finished 2-2 before going to penalties which the home side won on penalties that seemed to go on for a long time.

It means Taunton have exited the Isuzu FA Trophy at the first hurdle and Welling now progress to the Third Round Proper.

Town were close to taking a fifth minute lead when Austen Booth’s header hit the bar and bounced away from the action.

The Peacocks were on top in fairness and they created a number of chances in the first period but were unable to find the goal.

A lot of the action was played in Taunton's attacking half, with the defence left with little to do for the opening half an hour.

However, the hosts broke the deadlock two minutes before the break when Kain Adom drilled home a first time strike from 25 yards.

That sent the home side in front at an ideal time and they held the lead until the halftime break.

After some words of encouragement from Rob Dray, Taunton came out firing in the second period.

The Peacocks ended their goal drought on 52 minutes when Ross Stearn equalised from the penalty spot following a challenge by Welling keeper Javarn Pitterson.

Taunton continued to press on in search of a go ahead goal, and they continued to make chances but were either missing the vital pass or a strong cross.

But this was all before another spot kick looked to have settled the tie in Welling’s favour five minutes from time after Crossley Lema was tripped in the box and Tristan Abrahams fired home.

Yet, in typical Taunton fashion they wouldn't lie down and substitute Malachi Linton bundled the visitors level on 88 minutes.

In the 92nd minute, the ball was lobbed across to Ollie Chamberlain on the far post, but he was millimetres short of turning it in. 

And just the next minute, Linton touched the ball down and was through one-on-one but the keeper pulled out a great save to deny Taunton a late winner.

Then to penalties, as Ross Stearn, Malachi Linton, Dylan Morgan, Nick McCootie, Dan Ball, Zach Smith, and Ollie Chamberlain all scoring for Taunton.

Dan Lavercombe made one save but misses from Jay Foulston and Austen Booth saw Welling win and go through.