BEACONSFIELD TOWN 1        TAUNTON TOWN 1

            A.E.T    Taunton win 6-7 on Penalties

For the third time this season The Rams exited a cup competition via a penalty shootout, losing 6-7 to Taunton Town after 120 minutes on the night and 90 minutes the previous Saturday had failed to separate the teams.

As with the first game in Taunton, the two sides were evenly matched and the first quarter of an hour saw them trade periods of possession. On 19 minutes, however, Dan Brown got on the end of a Scott Cousins cross to put the home side in front. The Rams then went onto dominate the rest of the half though rarely troubled Lloyd Irish in The Peacocks goal.

The second half saw a much stronger performance by the visitors, Les Afful forcing a good save out of Jamie Norris on 54 minutes, Matt Buse hitting the post five minutes later and Afful again going close on the hour mark as Taunton ramped up the pressure.

The Rams seemed content to soak up the attacks and then play on the break, Dan Brown having a decent strike saved by Irish and Andre Costa shooting just wide as well as having a decent shout for a penalty waved away. The Taunton pressure, however, eventually produced a reward on 84 minutes when Matt Wright sent a powerful header past Norris to level the tie.

The thirty minutes of extra time – just what the travelling Peacocks faithful needed! – again saw strong Taunton pressure, a mixture of saves by Norris, committed defending by the Rams back four and some (tired) wayward finishing by the visitors ensuring the score remained level.

And so, for the third time this season, a Beaconsfield game went to penalties. The first five strikes for each side (Wes Daly, Michael Peacock, Andre Costa, Luke Neville and Omar Vassell for The Rams) were all successfully taken, giving neither keeper a chance. To “Sudden Death” then, and Stefan Powell hit home first for Beaconsfield, Matt Buse did likewise for Taunton and then Mitch Gutteridge saw his effort go over the bar. Ross Staley then stroked home the decider to send the travelling Taunton support into delight – and hats off to them for making such a long journey on a Monday night.

For The Rams now the League is the focus and they begin with an away trip to bottom club Arlesey Town this coming Saturday

Come On You Rams!

BEACONSFIELD TOWN TEAM

1. Jamie Norris
2. Omar Vassell
3. Mitch Gutteridge
4. Michael Peacock
5. Luke Neville
6. Wes Daly (Captain)
7. Aaron Minhas
8. Jordan Ajanlekoko
9. Alex Cathline  (Sub: Kofi Lockhart-Adams, 59)
10. Dan Brown (Sub: Stefan Powell, 81)
11. Scott Cousins (Sub: Andre Costa, 59)

Subs Not Used:

12. Callum Mapley
14. Ollie Jones

Attendance: 86