FA Trophy third qualifying round: AFC Portchester 2-1 Taunton Town
Taunton Town went out of the FA Trophy at the first available opportunity after defeat against AFC Portchester.
The Peacocks were edged out in a close game in Hampshire but ultimately, the side from the Isthmian League, South Central Division advanced to the first round proper of the competition.
After 11 days without a game since a victory over Dorchester Town away from home last time out, manager Richard Luffman made one change with new loan signing Matt Carson coming into the starting XI to replace Tom Purrington.
Taunton made a good start and Jack Rice won their first corner on five minutes after a snapshot effort.
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On nine minutes Portchester had their first sight of goal after winning the ball from Bailey Croome in midfield but the shot went wide.
The windy conditions contributed towards the opening goal from Portchester with Connor Duffin scoring the goal.
On 24 minutes Moulden was fouled on the edge of the box and Rice’s effort went straight down into the arms of the goalkeeper.
Another effort from Jack Rice came on 33 minutes but his effort was deflected, taking the sting out of it and the ball was collected by the goalkeeper.
The score remained 1-0 at half time.
Six minutes into the second half and the Peacocks were back on level terms as Carson’s effort took a deflection and beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.
But the parity was short lived as right from kick off, Portchester were back in front.
With 17 minutes to go, substitute Joe Hatch – who came on for Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala – put the ball through a defender’s legs but his strike was smothered to safety.
On 79 minutes the visitors had a claim for a penalty as it looked like Ben Seymour’s effort struck the arm of a Portchester defender, but the referee disagreed.
With five minutes of normal time remaining, Phillips had to make a save to stop the lead increasing.
In eight minutes of stoppage time, Jacob Hodgson had been pushed forward in the search for an equaliser and had an effort on the volley, but it went wide.
The home side held out for the win.
Taunton Town are next in action on Wednesday night as they enter the Francis Hillier Premier Cup against Larkhall Athletic away from home. Kick-off is 7.45pm.
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