WHEN Taunton Town boss Leigh Robinson lost several of last season’s squad which went so close to gaining promotion to the Southern League Premier Division, and the club then had to contend with the prospect of wealthy phoenix clubs Salisbury and Hereford dominating the division, it all pointed to a campaign of consolidation writes Kerry Miller.

It is then all the more remarkable that the club and the squad have reached November still actively involved in the FA Cup and facing a money-spinning tie with National League Barrow, while well-placed in the league and hoping for a run in the FA Trophy.

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Robinson’s new recruits have dovetailed effortlessly into the squad and the Taunton public have shown their appreciation with some impressive attendance figures at the Viridor Stadium.

It could have been so different when the preliminary round draw brought long time adversaries Tiverton Town to the Drive on August 20 and they played out a stunning 4-4 draw in front of more than 430 fans.

It triggered a round of three matches in nine days against the Yellows with the small matter of a derby with Bridgwater Town sandwiched between which could have defined the season and the side came through with flying colours, winning the replay thanks to youngsters Ollie Chamberlain and Josh Searle.

The early rounds of the Cup come thick and fast and the first qualifying round brought Forest of Dean side Cinderford Town to Taunton, just four months or so after they clinched the league title by beating the Peacocks on their own patch.

Revenge was duly gained with goals from Pierce Mitchell and Jordan Rogers and the club’s fortune continued with another home draw, against fellow South and West Division side Slimbridge in the middle of September.

By then the FA Cup run had gathered momentum and with the Gloucestershire side beaten by Matt Wright and Ryan Batley the whole complexion changed with the visit of Conference South side Hampton and Richmond Borough.

Sitting just below leaders Maidenhead United at the time, they were expected to have a comfortable passage through but Robinson’s men stunned them and Rogers’ double in front of 630 fans set up arguably the most financially important match in the club’s history.

The final qualifying round pitted the Peacocks with the Tudors from Conference South Hemel Hempstead Town and the biggest crowd at Wordsworth Drive for two decades could not roar them to victory and the 0-0 draw was looked upon as probably the beginning of the end of the Cup run.

However, Town’s players, officials and supporters were having none of that and on a truly memorable night in Hertfordshire, Rogers’ early penalty and a heroic rearguard action secured the club’s position in the FA Cup proper for the first time in 34 years and the first tie at that stage ever to be staged in Taunton.

FROM 1pm today, we will be bringing you a live blog of the match action, interviews with players and fans, and it will be the only place to go for minute-by-minute updates and stats.