National League South: Taunton Town 0-2 Weymouth

TAUNTON Town now sit in 20th place in the National League South after losing to Weymouth at home on Tuesday night (January 23).

The match ended 2-0 in favour of the visitors as they were the better side across the bulk of the match.

It was the Peacocks fifth defeat in seven Vanarama National League South games and means they are without a win since December 9, 2023.

Rob Dray named an unchanged line-up for the match from their previous outing and in the early exchanges, Taunton were on top.

Chances fell for Ollie Chamberlain, Zac Bell and Ross Stearn but they all went wide of the post and it looked as though Taunton yet again would be made to pay for missed opportunities.

In the 12th minute, Zac Smith ran down the left and found Ollie Chamberlain, he burst past his man and puts it in the box for Nat Jarvis who puts his shot straight at Benfield.

Soon after an absolutely sublime touch from Ross Stearn sent Ollie Chamberlain loose to run, he laid it off wide for Zac Bell who smashed a shot just wide of the target.

The hosts found themselves trailing at the break after Brandon Goodship had fired the Terras ahead on 33 minutes, curling a strike in off the post from distance.

Harry Parsons also struck the bar for the visitors as Town were made to rue missing a couple of great opportunities.

Cam Evans turned and hit a shot with venom from about 25 yards that shakes the wall next to the goal but that was the last chance for Taunton in the first period.

With the elements in their favour, Weymouth were barely troubled after the break as Taunton couldn't get through for many clear cut chances.

Worryingly, captain Nick Grimes was substituted at half time as Marley Rose came on in his place. Cam Evans was shuffled back to centre back as Rose went in midfield.

Weymouth doubled their lead after 71 minutes when Teddy Howe’s pass released Goodship down the left and he slotted home past Dan Lavercombe.

Nat Jarvis was replaced by Evander Grubb and Stearn was replaced by Marcus Day but the fresh legs were not able to make much of an impact.

Weymouth stood tall at the back and barely had to get out of first gear once they were in front and try as they might, Taunton could not create enough clear cut chances. And with the ones they did, they lacked the clinical edge to score.

Up next for the Peacocks is another home match on Saturday, January 27 as Aveley come to town for a 3pm kick off.