Preview: Taunton Town (A)

19 July 2019

A Cheltenham Town squad will travel to Southern Premier South side Taunton Town this evening (kick-off: 7.45pm).

The match at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium is Taunton's third pre-season friendly so far and their first home game as they prepare for another campaign in step three of the non-league pyramid.

Last season the Peacocks finished second in the Southern Premier South - the same level but a different division as Cheltenham's opening pre-season opponents Stratford Town - but were denied the opportunity to push for promotion to the National League South by losing on penalties to Poole Town in the play-offs.

On Saturday Premier League Leicester City are the visitors to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium for what will be a big game for Michael Duff's side in the build up to the new League Two season. Tickets for that game are available to buy online here and on the day.

Opposition

Taunton have recorded victories over Tavistock and Bridgwater Town so far in their two pre-season fixtures.

They are led by Head of Football Rob Dray, who stepped up to become boss after Leigh Robinson's departure to Truro City midway through last season, the Peacocks are preparing for another promotion push in the Southern Premier South in the campaign ahead.

To do so they have built a squad that possesses a strong spine in all areas. Led by the front by Andrew Neal, who was among the top goal scorers in their division last season, and ex-Torquay United front man Dan Sullivan.

In midfield, the energetic Ollie Chamberlain is one to watch, though former Dover midfielder Naby Diallo will miss tonight's encounter.

Defensively Ben Adelsbury brings plenty of experience, while former Gloucester City left back Lewis Hall likes to get forward from a full back area. Ed Palmer is another solid body in their defensive back line that's shored up by former Weston-super-Mare goalkeeper Lloyd Irish.

After taking on Cheltenham this evening, Taunton are also lining up against Yeovil, Exeter, Weston-super-Mare (in the Somerset Premier Cup final), Willand Rovers and Bideford in the build up to their Southern Premier Central campaign.

Tickets

Tickets are available on the turnstiles this evening for fans travelling to watch the squad making the trip.

Prices for this evening are as follows:

Adults	£10
Concessions	£8
Under-18s	£5
Under-14s	Free

Coverage

You can stay up to date with the latest from Cygnet Health Care Stadium by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. There will also be half time and full time updates on the club's Facebook page.

After the game catch up on how events unfolded by reading a match report on the website, as well as reaction to the game online.

Match Reports

Report: Taunton Town 7-0 Robins

19 July 2019

A young Cheltenham Town side suffered a heavy defeat in Somerset against Southern Premier South outfit Taunton Town.

With Premier League Leicester City set to visit the Jonny-Rocks Stadium in less than 24 hours following the Robins trip down the M5, a team made up of 15 to 17 year olds made the trip and came unstuck in a second half where Taunton powered through to a seven goal victory.

It was a good effort from a Robins under-18s unit who have only been together for a few weeks and who were always going to find it incredibly tough against a team expected to push for promotion to the National League set-up this coming season.

They were up against it from the start. A Taunton onslaught saw Freddie Lapworth produce two excellent point-blank saves to deny Josh Grant, and Kian Bedford then did well to get back on the line to block Matt Wright's shot.

Wright was threatening again a minute later. His header from a cross slammed against the post and Bedford cleared up the pieces.

A goal looked to be coming, and it eventually did on 11 minutes. Pinball in the Robins box eventually saw the ball fall to Neal, and he slammed in to break the deadlock.

Lapworth denied Neal from scoring another quickly after, while the second year scholar made another good stop to keep out Jamie Short's effort with his feet.

Taunton made it two on 26 minutes when Neal got in behind the Cheltenham defence and lifted a well-taken goal into the back of the net to give the hosts a two goal lead at the break.

Immediately after half time Taunton threatened again, with Lapworth having to stand firm when Wright was sent through.

They would add a third though when Jamie Price rose highest from a corner, while substitute Dan Sullivan's attempts to make it four were thwarted by Lapworth who stood up tall to save again.

Neal scored plenty for Taunton last season, and the nimble forward proved just why when he completed his hat-trick on 64 minutes as he followed up in the box.

Taunton made it five when Short claimed his second ten minutes before the end.

Charlie Stanton struck the post as he attempted to draw a goal back for Cheltenham. The second year forward produced a left-footed curling shot that hit the upright.

It was six on 85 minutes when Sullivan scored, and after Lapworth had made another good save to deny Ed Palmer, the hosts added a final seventh on 90 minutes to wrap up their evening's work on a night where the Robin youngsters applied themselves brilliantly against senior opponents.

TAUNTON: Irish, Mitchell, White, Adelsbury, Palmer, Price, Chamberlain, Short, Wright, Grant, Neal, Sullivan, Hall, Manley, Rice, Coppin, Sleaman-Keane

ROBINS: Lapworth, T Lawrence, Putz, I Lawrence, Bedford, Chamberlain (Idowu 73), Stanton, Evans-Harriott, Skurek (Romais 76), Stevens, Atwell

Attendance: 300