Taunton Town draw 1-1 with Weston-super-Mare in the FA Cup

Taunton Town earned a replay against their opponents from the league above in this Somerset derby on Saturday (September 13).

The Peacocks had to come from behind to earn their draw against National League South side Weston but the result means Taunton Town and Weston will do it all again on Tuesday (September 16) night at the Optima Stadium.

Manager Richard Luffman made a couple changes from the side which drew with Weymouth in Taunton’s midweek fixture, with new signing on loan from Plymouth Joe Hatch coming in alongside Kane Simpson to replace Ben Seymour and Alfie Moulden.

The match began with both sides trying to feel each other out but it was the visitors who created the first chance as Sam Pearson’s cross found Louis Britton but he headed over the bar.

It took a while for the match to get into a rhythm in the first half and there were a couple stoppages in play as both Owen Brain and Bailey Croome were treated for injuries.

It was the visitors who struck first though as a ball from deep found Luke Coulson on the edge of the box and his cushion header back to Sam Pearson was curled into the Taunton net from around 25 yards out.

That seemed to spur Taunton Town into action though and three minutes later, the hosts were awarded a penalty kick for a foul on debutant Joe Hatch. Jack Rice stepped up and scored low to the goalkeeper’s right hand side.

There was a minor flash point at the end of the first half as Nick Grimes and Louis Britton seemed to be tangled with each other. The situation quickly calmed down but both were awarded a yellow card.

The score was 1-1 at half time.

Both sides early in the second half looked to try and create an opportunity while also be wary of each other’s counter attacking ability.

On 56 minutes, Weston’s defence held firm to block successive shots on goal and the same was repeated by the Taunton defence at the other end a few minutes later. Then a free kick into the Weston box found Jacob Hodgson on the stretch but he could not convert.

Then came substitutions from both sides including Ben Seymour, and he got in behind briefly bhut could not beat Max Harris in the Weston goal.

With three minutes remaining, Weston had the ball in the net and while Louis Britton was wheeling away to celebrate, the referee’s assistant had his flag up.

The score remained 1-1 at full time meaning the sides will reunite on Tuesday night at the Optima Stadium.