Taunton Town lose to Walton & Hersham in Southern League

Taunton Town suffered their first loss of the season as they were beaten away from home by Walton & Hersham.

Kane Simpson had briefly levelled the scores in the first half after the Peacocks went behind, but the hosts scored a second goal and, after Taunton had a goal disallowed which appeared to cross the line, the home side managed to seal victory on Saturday (August 23).

Going into the game, manager Richard Luffman made a couple changes with Jayden Nielsen and Bailey Croome replacing Niall Thompson and Alfie Moulden in the starting XI. The returning Marley Rose was on the bench.

The home side made the fast start and Frankie Phillips had to be alert to dive down to his right to make a save on five minutes.

A couple minutes later Phillips was again called into action and the resulting corner was cleared away by Taunton Town.

The first sign of attacking intent from the Peacocks came on 11 minutes as Ben Seymour found space on the right, whipped in a cross but there were no takers in the box.

Kane Simpson had his first sight of goal on 21 minutes as he got on the end of a long ball but his effort didn’t unduly threaten the Swans’ goalkeeper.

A couple minutes later the home side struck as Jayden Nielsen had the ball taken from him as he was attempted to shield the ball and a cross was turned in by David Rogalski.

The lead however lasted just seven minutes as a heavy back pass was seized on by Simpson and the goalkeeper’s clearance cannoned off the striker into the net.

Six minutes before half time and Taunton thought they had taken the lead. Ben Seymour hit the inside of the post and the ball looked like it hadn’t crossed the line on first viewing.

In first-half stoppage time, Jayden Nielsen’s free kick was saved by goalkeeper Josiah Barker.

The Swans took just three second-half minutes to re-establish their lead as a low cross was met by Rogalski.

Taunton immediately went in search of another equaliser and on 54 minutes had a strong shout for a penalty as Austen Booth went down but the referee did not give it.

Marley Rose made his return on 59 minutes as a substitute for Jake Towns. Brodie Montague also came on for Bailey Croome.

Frankie Phillips made another decent save on 64 minutes as Joe Jones met the ball with his head at the near post.

In the final 15 minutes, Walton & Hersham sat deeper as they looked to protect their lead and will have been nervous when Taunton Town appealed for a penalty on 90 minutes for handball but again the referee said no.

In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Frankie Phillips went forward for the corner, but substitute Jacob Hodgson could only head wide.