Taunton CS v Torbay A

Looking to capitalise on the win against Sidmouth and Ottery the week before Taunton CS travelled to Torquay to take on Torbay A who were yet to register a point in the league.

After a bizarre conversation with the umpire regarding a shirt clash between black and maroon Taunton CS were handed a set of blue bibs to wear much to the outrage of the club's sponsors!

The game started slow pace which gradually increased over the opening 10 minutes. Two things became very clear early on. Taunton were given a large amount of space in the middle of the pitch with skipper Ali Johnston, Simon Jones and James Coles being unmarked options form almost every free hit. The second was that the game was going to be physical and unfortunately it was Taunton's smallest player, Jesse Mooney, who took the brunt of it as a Torbay defender decided, having checked his follow through to start again resulting in his stick connecting with Jesse's face a nose meaning he had to leave the pitch for 10 minutes to clean up the blood leaving Taunton with 10 players.

The disadvantage was almost Taunton’s downfall as Torbay were allowed to fire the ball into the D from the base line and Toron Everett kindly turned the ball into his own goal to the excitement of the Torbay players. Thankfully a number of Taunton players were in hand to help the umpires out and remind them that the own goal rule had again changed! With the Umpires educated in the 2014-2015 season rules the game resumed at 0-0. Jesse Mooney thankfully again returned to the pitch to even up the numbers and it was not long before a short corner was won. Simon Jones’ initial effort was saved but only fell as far as Ben Witt who dragged the ball past the Torbay keeper to put Taunton ahead. Having fallen behind Torbay again decided to victimise Taunton’s smallest player as another follow though connected with Jesse Mooney’s wrist again sending him to the dugout for further treatment. Taunton were able to close out the first half preserving their slender lead.

The second half saw Taunton back to 11 players with Jesse Mooney playing high up the pitch to take a Torbay defender out the game and Taunton began to sense that they might actually be fitter than the Torbay team as chances began to open up. Simon Jones was able to double Taunton’s lead with a trademark drag flick from a short corner and the comfort of a two goal cushion gave Taunton the confidence to press and paly deep in the Torbay half. Skipper Ali Johnston was able to pick up the ball just inside the Torbay 25 as fired a ball in to the D where Lee Slade with what may or may not have been the back of his stick turned the ball into the Torbay goal for their third of the afternoon.

Torbay continued to try and get back in the game though the Taunton defence was able to make the crucial tackles and interception and any shots on goal were calmly cleared by Miles Cave. Torbay’s frustration began to show as a number of leading shoulder challenges were thrown around as they tried to get possession though Taunton’s fourth goal of the afternoon did little to ease their frustration as Simon Jones found Lee Slade at the far post who again appeared to make good use of the lesser used side of the stick to claim his second of the afternoon.

The physical nature of the game continued right to the end with a Torbay defender taking offence to a clean and fair challenge by Simon Jones who expertly dodged the opposition flying elbow thrown in retaliation for losing the ball. Un fortunately the umpire didn’t’ see it that way as both players were shown yellow cards and spent the rest of the game on the side line. There was, however, still enough time for Taunton to make it five as the hard working James Coles found Mark Sawyer in the D who was able to finish in his usual clinical style from just in front of the keeper.

The 5-0 win saw Taunton secure their first back to back wins in the league this season and saw them move up to fourth in the league on goal difference. With a couple of players returning to the squad next week the team will feel confident of taking on Yeovil and Sherborne B back in Taunton on the 1st November. Jason Harris was awarded Man of the Match for a solid display in defence and for making a number of attacking runs down the left hand side, though his nomination was not enough to save him form also being awarded D.O.D for his inability to work out which of the lines on the side of the pitch was the correct one as he managed to run the ball off the side of the pitch no more than four times during the game.

Team was as follows; Miles Cave (GK), Jason Harris, Harry Elsmore, Toron Everett, Ali Johnston (c), James Coles, Simon Jones (1), Ben Witt (1), Jesse Mooney, Lee Slade (2) and Mark Sawyer (1)