FA Cup: Taunton Town vs Didcot Town in the qualifying round

Goals from Eddie Jones, David Duru and Jake Hodgson sealed the Peacocks’ victory against their Southern League Division One opponents at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium on Saturday (August 31).

In front of 588 fans, it was also Taunton’s first home win of the season.

The only disappointment for Taunton was the injury to defender Tiago Sa, who was stretchered off the pitch. The club confirmed that he had suffered a fractured fibula which will require surgery.

At the beginning of the game, both sides fought for possession and created chances.

In the 11th minute, Owen Brain showed trickery and skill to get past a couple of defenders on the left and his low cross was received at the far post but could not be converted. At the other end, an effort from outside the box went just wide before Didcot fell behind minutes later and Adam Parkes in goal had to make a smart save.

Then Tiago Sa was injured and the game had to be stopped for a while while the stretcher was brought out. Jake Hodgson came in for him.

From that point on, Taunton took control of the game and thought they had scored in the 29th minute when Eddie Jones broke through on the right, fired the ball over the Didcot goalkeeper and Tom Smith headed the ball home, but the referee whistled for offside.

But within 60 seconds Taunton took the lead when Eddie Jones was rewarded for his persistent pressing when he broke through on the right and his low shot found the bottom corner.

Didcot attempted to respond before half-time, but Jenson Wright and Adam Learoyd were frustrated as their efforts missed the target.

Taunton picked up the tempo in the second half and were rewarded for their efforts in the 55th minute when the Didcot goalkeeper could only parry a corner, allowing Tom Purrington to head the ball back into the danger area for David Duru to head home.

Taunton seemed to be having fun and wanted to score more goals. The Peacocks looked particularly dangerous from corners.

With 20 minutes left, Didcot had a great chance when substitute Josh Davis headed towards goal but couldn't find the net. At this point, manager Richard Luffman made three changes, bringing on Alfie Moulden, Evander Grubb and Aysa Corrick.

With 15 minutes left, Taunton scored their third goal, again from a corner that Didcot failed to clear, and the ball fell to Hodgson in the box who fired it into the top corner.

From that point on, Taunton were happy to hit Didcot on the counter and could have scored a few more had substitute Evander Grubb been in front of goal twice.

The Peacocks’ next fixture is a league game against Hanwell Town at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium on Saturday (September 7).

Taunton: Adam Parkes, Eddie Jones, Tiago Sa, Oliver Woodhouse, Toby Down, Tom Purrington, Tom Smith, Owen Brain, David Duru, Harris Feltham, Charlie Dashfield. Substitutes: Archie Ferris, Jake Hodgson, Alfie Moulden, Evander Grubb, Aysa Corrick, Sam Naylor