Peacocks stand proud as City suffer resounding home defeat

City suffered a night to forget under the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park floodlights this evening, going down 3-0 to Taunton Town in a Southern League Premier South Somerset derby.

Twice in the opening 20 minutes Harvey Wiles-Richards was called into action, pushing away Wright’s 5th minute shot then saving Grimes’ effort with his legs 12 minutes later. Having escaped this early pressure unscathed City began to impose themselves on the game without really troubling Irish in the visitor’s goals. However, on 38 minutes they fell behind when a swift break forward ended with Murray breaking clear and slotting the ball past Wiles-Richards. And two minutes into additional time it got worse for the Romans when Murray crossed to give Robinson a simple tap-in at the back post. City ended the half with Callum Wood firing a shot narrowly over the angle of post and crossbar.

Half-time substitute Reuben Reid finally tested Irish within a couple minutes of the restart but Taunton were now content to slow the game down at every opportunity with a two-goal advantage to defend. Just past the hour mark City spurned a great chance to get back in the game. Donovan Wilson slipped the ball through to cousin Scott but, after rounding Irish, he blazed the ball over the inviting goal. Matt Bowman then had a 70th minute shot blocked, with half hearted penalty appeals for handball waved away. City’s final hope of getting back into the game came on 77 minutes when Joe Raynes’ pass sent Donovan Wilson clear on goal. He knocked the ball past Irish but had his ankle clipped by the keeper. To the surprise of no-one in the ground, given his performance previously this season at Twerton Park, referee Mr Lamport saw nothing wrong with the foul. Taunton completed the victory five minutes from when Robinson scrambled the ball home from a corner.