Taunton Town 3 Marine 1

Pitching In Southern League Premier South | Tuesday 21st September 2024

Posted by Keith Yeomans on September 26th 2024

Match Report from Pete Crockett

THREE GOAL TAUNTON SINK MARINE

The home team entered this match on a run of seven games undefeated. By the final whistle they had extended this run to eight.

The Peacocks made an energetic start to the match. An early Alfie Moulden strike forced Marine keeper Luke Purnell into a diving stop. Then a few minutes later a Eddie Jones’ cross fizzed across the box but the host’s Tom Smith was unable to connect and it fell into the path of Jayden Nielsen who cleared the bar from six yards.

The early pressure being applied on the Marine team was incessant. Owen Brain put another Eddie Jones cross wide at the near post. Then Aysa Corrick’s low shot was held by Luke Purnell. Owen Brain then saw an effort well blocked by the Marine keeper.

The home team’s intense pressure meant Marine struggled to get a foothold in the game. The opening goal thus seemed inevitable and with 14 minutes elapsed Marine’s preference to build from the back was punished. A pressing Tom Smith won the ball from Anton Dworzak and darted into the Marine area and his pass to TOM PURRINGTON inside the box left him a simple tap in.

Following the concession of the first goal Marine began to compete more effectively. A cross was headed wide and minutes later Liban Ibrahim flashed a ball across goal. Marine were now nullifying the Peacock’s early intensity. However, despite some good periods of possession Marine struggled to meaningfully trouble the host’s defence.

Towards the end of the first half Luke Purnell made two more good saves, the first from Jake Hodgson’s header from a corner kick and the second from an Owen Brain shot from an acute angle that he parried over the bar.

The hosts started the second half with gusto. Within the first half a minute an Owen Brain shot struck the post. Then keeper Luke Purnell made another good save parrying an Aysa Corrick effort.

On 49 minutes Taunton doubled their lead. Tom Smith’s interception fell for Tom Purrington, who, in the view of referee Bailey Walker, was bought down by Jake Lee for what looked to many a really good tackle! TOM SMITH stepped up and converted the penalty sending Luke Purnell the wrong way.

Shortly afterwards Marine keeper Luke Purnell was then called upon to make yet another good save turning Owen Brain’s shot wide.

The third goal came in the 58th minute when an Ollie Woodhouse throw was partially cleared. The ball was recycled into the box where Tom Purrington found AYSA CORRICK who smashed the ball into the roof of the next from 15 yards.

Marine did get one back on 75 minutes with LIBAN IBRAHIM striking his effort into the corner of the goal after some good build up play down the right wing. However, the hosts safely saw the game out and might even have widened their lead when a break in stoppage time saw Harris Feltham’s strike well saved by Luke Purnell.

Marine can have few arguments about the scoreline in a game where the hosts created a plethora of chances. Indeed, but for some excellent saves from Luke Purnell the defeat may have been heavier. This was, quite simply, one of those days where Marine were outplayed and their opponents were fully deserving of their victory.

Come on Marine!

Editors Taunton Star Man: Asa Corrick
Editors Marine Star Man: Luke Purnell
Attendance: 427

Line Ups

TAUNTON TOWN
Manager: Richard Luffman
Colours: Claret & Sky Blue Line-up: 1. Adam Parkes 2. Eddie Jones 5. Oliver Woodhouse 7. Tom Purrington (4. Reece Hedges 90’) 8. Tom Smith (c) (16. Evander Grubb 85’) 10. Owen Brain (17. Harris Feltham 78’) 11. Jacob Hodgson 12. Alfie Moulden (14. David Duru 90’) 15. Jayden Nielson 19. Morgan Lewis 20. Aysa Corrick (18. Jay Malshanskyj 63’)
Subs Not Used: None
Goalscorers: Tom Purrington 14’ , Tom Smith 49’pen , Aysa Corrick 59’
Cards:
Oliver Woodhouse 65’, Jayden Nielson 72’ Yellow Card
None Red Card
None Yellow & Red Card