Match Preview - Taunton Town

Taunton Town v Tiverton Town 

Monday 21st April 2025  

Wordsworth Drive, The Cygnet Health Care Stadium. 

Taunton fans can be happy with what their side has achieved during this campaign, and although a play-off push faltered, a top half finish will represent a decent showing, in Richard Luffman's football revolution at the club. 

Two players that arrived in Somerset, at different stages of the season are now integral parts of Asa Hall and Steve Orchard's side. Charlie Cummins who scored against us in the reverse fixture and Toby Down, now form a blossoming Central defensive partnership for the Yellows. 

There have been plenty of comings and goings at Wordsworth Drive, this term. Jack Rice cutting short his stay at Chorley to eventually sign permanently for The Peacocks and another with a Tiverton past Nick Grimes, joining other ex Yellows Alfie Moulden and Tom Purrington in the Taunton dressing room. 

Our attacking midfielder Marcus Day is also a former Peacock in what are many ties between the two clubs. 

Marquee signing, inspirational midfielder Tom Smith has been conspicuous by his absence for a good few weeks now and in other team news, Jack Rice has been nursing an injury recently. 

The Yellows will go into battle after their stirring and energetic performance in victory against Gosport, with knocks to assess and tired legs to manage, but look like they will be able to call on the same players that contributed to that magnificent win on Saturday. 

It’s no secret what is required, and we must go all out for victory. A draw should without all other significant results conspiring against us, mean that we will be having to do better than a few others on Saturday and a loss will probably mean lights out. 

It’s imperative that we show up, display character, focus well and try to play without fear in what is always a challenging atmosphere. As supporters we are proud of the way our team have handled themselves in adversity, but two big pushes will be needed to get us over the line. 

Our management team will have a part to play In delivering tactics, formations and making observations, but it will be the players that will be entrusted to deliver the result that is needed. 

Dan Koita has been grabbing all the headlines and rightly so, though it is the team as a whole that have performed well and if we can rise to the occasion once more, we will be in with a shout. 

It’s impossible not to highlight Nick Grimes, as a top-quality player who played with distinction in National League South for Taunton under Rob Dray. An unhappy stay at Bath earlier in the season, saw the talented central defender return to the Peacocks. 

Ex veteran EFL Striker Chris Zebroski has added to the hosts firepower. The powerfully built forward is of proven pedigree at a much higher level. His CV includes a first foray into senior football with Championship side Plymouth Argyle, many successful seasons with Torquay United and further EFL stints with; Wycombe, Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham and Millwall. 

Highly regarded attacking midfielder Owen Brain has a lot of admirers. He was signed following a prolific season with Bristol Manor Farm, where he notched 14 goals from 27 games. Brain has additionally played for Merthyr and Yate but began as a young pro with Bristol Rovers. 

Goalkeeper Josh Gould arrived from Totton and has replaced Adam Parkes who joined and played for Gosport against us on Saturday. Now 28, Gould was professionally contracted to Swansea City at the start of his senior career. 

Gould has since played for Ebbsfleet and Bath City higher up the football pyramid, was Salisbury's Number One in their promotion season and the gifted gloveman also had a spell with fellow Southern League Premier South side, Swindon Supermarine. 

Jayden Neilson was also recruited from Bristol Manor Farm and is one of many promising midfielders at Richard Luffman’s disposal. He played over 100 games for The Farm and has established himself as a fan favourite at Wordsworth Drive. 

Harris Feltham who was one of the manager’s charges at his previous club Cribbs, has also caught the eye and was briefly with National League Eastleigh. 

It will be another testing day at the Cole face for Asa Hall’s side. So, let’s get behind the lads, as we strive to get to the final day of the season with more than a fighting chance of survival.