Taunton Town 1-2 Berkhamsted: Late goal denies Peacocks point

Taunton Town’s search for a first home win since August continues after a heart-breaking late goal for Berkhamsted on Saturday (November 22).

The Peacocks last tasted victory in front of their own fans back on August bank holiday Monday against local rivals Tiverton Town.

They are also three without a win in the league following the defeat against Berkhamsted. Alfie Moulden came on in the second half to score a free kick which looked to have sealed at least a point, but in stoppage time a corner was headed in for the visitors.

The Peacocks went into the game having made three changes from the starting XI in their defeat to Weymouth in midweek with Niall Thompson and Tom Purrington returning to the team and Jayden Nielsen making his first start since his loan spell at Bridgwater United and Portishead Town.

Jayden Nielsen returned to the starting XI for Taunton Town (Image: Debbie Gould)

Nat Williams, Kalvin Kalala and Alfie Moulden all dropped out.

Berkhamsted had a former Peacock in their starting XI as Pierce Mitchell played against Taunton.

Mitchell played a key role in helping the Peacocks to the first round proper of the FA Cup in 2016, and earning Southern League promotion in 2017/18, as first choice right wing-back under Leigh Robinson and during Rob Dray’s first season in charge.

A minute’s silence was observed before kick off for former Taunton Town player Joe Guest and his partner Jodie whose son Ezra died.

Once the match got underway, it was a cagey start from both sides but it was Berkhamsted who created the first chance on 11 minutes with James Gurteen found via a free kick but his shot was over the bar.

Taunton’s first sight of goal came from Owen Brain. His free kick nearly found a way through at the near post.

It was the visitors who took the lead though on 22 minutes as a corner created chaos in the Taunton Town box and was eventually forced over the line with Ryan Blake running away celebrating.

As half time loomed, Taunton were pushing for an equaliser and Seidou Sanogo powered through a couple challenges and the ball broke eventually to Ben Seymour whose shot on the turn was saved.

There was then drama in first half stoppage time as first Matt Carson did not react positively to being substituted for Toby Stephens and then moments later there was confrontation between Jack Rice and Berkhamsted midfielder Luke Andrews with Rice down on the ground holding his face. No further action was taken by the officials, with both sets of players taken off the pitch for half time.

Alfie Moulden came on for Niall Thompson as Taunton’s third change of the game already.

Just before the hour mark, the visitors had a half chance to extend their lead and despite an improved effort in the second half, the first chance of note for Taunton Town was on 69 minutes when Sanogo had a pop from range which went over the bar. A couple minutes later Seymour had a header towards goal but off balance the effort went wide.

On 74 minutes, Taunton’s second half efforts were rewarded when Alfie Moulden stepped up for a free kick 30 yards out and found the bottom corner.

The Peacocks were applying pressure in the final 15 minutes as they could taste a first win at home since August but in stoppage time Berkhamsted had a corner at the fire station end of the ground and Andrews climbed highest at the near post to head home.