Match Report by Karl Hills
Photography by Steve Gridley
Basingstoke Town travelled down to South-West England on Saturday afternoon to face Taunton Town, and back to the Cygnet Healthcare Stadium for the second time this season. They previously faced The Peacocks in the FA Trophy at the start of the season and, on that occasion, the hosts ran out 1-0 winners.
Unfortunately for ‘Stoke, the hosts once more ran out the victors, beating ‘Stoke 2-0, with goals from Chris Zebroski (12) and Latrell Humphrey-Ewers (85) enough to take the spoils.
The first ten minutes of the game were uneventful, and the 12th minute saw the first clear-cut opportunity for either side – which saw the hosts take the lead. After initially dealing with a threat from Taunton, Sam Deadfield was dispossessed on the edge of the ‘Stoke penalty area by Tom Smith. Smith guided the ball towards Zebroski, who slotted the ball through Billy Upton’s legs and away from the reach of Simon Grant. (1-0)
The 20th minute of the game saw ‘Stoke’s first real opportunity to get on level terms. Deadfield whipped the ball into the box and skipper Billy Upton slid in and was mere centimetres away from connecting with the ball. Moments later, Liam Ferdinand connected with a cross from Robbie Gallagher but could only send his glancing header wide of the far post. From the resulting goal-lick, Jayden Nielsen found space on the edge of the ‘Stoke penalty area, but his shot from range was saved low by Grant.
A flurry of activity for ‘Stoke around the half-hour mark saw Ferdinand, ‘Stoke debutant Jaden Brissett and Rudy Allen all fire efforts either wide or over the bar, before Brissett fired in a low shot that saw Josh Gould manage to get down to and push it around the post.
Five minutes before the break, the visitors should have been level. Allen and Brissett combined on the left, with the latter putting the ball into the box, to find the head of the arriving Ben Cook. However, Cook could only direct his header straight at Gould from around five yards out.
Both Ferdinand and Allen both had efforts blocked by defenders on the stroke of half time, as the hosts retained the lead heading into the break.
HT Taunton Town 1 – 0 Basingstoke Town
As with the first half, it took ten minutes for the first opportunity to come and once more it was Cook who should have had ‘Stoke level. Ferdinand sent Gallagher clear inside the hosts’ penalty area. Gallagher pulled a low ball across the box, and once again Cook arrived, but could only direct his shot straight at Gould – and the ball bounced away for a corner.
Aside from this early chance, clear cut chances were at a premium, as crosses and shots were blocked by both defences, or gathered easily by both goalkeepers. Both Brissett and Deadfield had opportunities they were unable to get on target, before the hosts made ‘Stoke pay for their missed opportunities by doubling their lead in the 85th minute.
Taunton launched a counterattack which saw Nielsen play the ball through for Owen Brain. Brain tried to get a touch around the oncoming Grant, but Grant was equal to it. Unfortunately for the ‘Stoke stopper, he couldn’t gather the ball – it fell to Humphrey-Ewers, who took it round Grant and hit the back of the net, despite the best attempts of a ‘Stoke defender on the line. (2-0)
Despite having a large part of possession for the last ten minutes, ‘Stoke were unable to find a way back into the game.
FT Taunton Town 2 – 0 Basingstoke Town
A disappointing defeat for ‘Stoke who undoubtedly deserved more from the game and will be ruing missed chances.