Taunton Town beaten by Tonbridge Angels in Emirates FA Cup

TAUNTON Town were denied a place in the first round proper of this season’s FA Cup, suffering a heavy defeat away to Tonbridge Angels on Saturday afternoon.

Their hosts showed their National League South pedigree with two goals in the first half and three in the second, while Taunton’s Jake Wannell was sent off.

Tonbridge’s status as a Step 2 club in the Non-League pyramid - one level above the Peacocks - meant that the game had to be played behind closed doors at the Longmead Stadium.

Both sides created half-chances in a goalless opening quarter, only for the home side to break the deadlock after 27 minutes.

Ben Greenhalgh was found at the back post, and he fired the ball past Taunton goalkeeper Lloyd Irish.

Dan Sullivan had an effort saved at the other end, but it was 2-0 three minutes before half-time as Alex Akofri slotted in after a free-kick delivery into the box fell for him.

The Peacocks’ task became all the more difficult when Wannell, who had been booked in first-half stoppage time, was shown a second yellow just a minute into the second period, and the visitors were down to 10 men.

Their hopes were well and truly killed off in the 50th minute, when Joe Turner found the net with a free-kick.

Taunton, to their credit, continued to battle as they tried to pull one back, but further goals from Javaun Splatt in the 74th minute and Turner in injury time rubbed salt in their wounds.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Jamie Short, Jay Foulston, Ben Adelsbury (Ross Staley 75), Nick Grimes (c), Jake Wannell, Joe Guest (Lee Lucas 51), Ollie Chamberlain, Dan Sullivan, Gethyn Hill, Toby Holmes (Owen Howe 60). Subs not used: Dan McBeam, Jordan Copp.

The Peacocks return to Southern League action tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm), at home to Dorchester Town.