FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

Taunton Town 3 Tuffley Rovers 0

TAUNTON eased into the second qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in nine years by virtue of a no fuss home victory over Hellenic League outfit Tuffley Rovers on Saturday, writes James Wright.

The Gloucester side’s chances of repeating their September 2000 4-1 demolition of Russell Musker’s Taunton side, that went on to lift the FA Vase later that season, diminished considerably after a fifth minute concession.

Owen Irish headed a deep Dale Evans corner back across goal to Jordan Rogers who brilliantly controlled the ball, beat his nearest marker, and drilled a left foot shoot into the far corner of the net.

The home team, showing just one change from the previous week’s win at Wantage (Bristol Rovers loanee Ryan Broom replacing the unwell Jamie Short), totally dominated the first half.

A slick move down the left saw Rogers set up Josh Klein-Davies who was bravely denied by Aaron Taylor but the keeper was helpless just before the half hour, clawing air as Rogers stretched his neck to deftly guide an Evans cross from the right into the top corner.

Two minutes later, Ben Carter skilfully controlled a half cleared corner to tee himself up a 25 yard volley that Taylor tipped over the bar as the Peacocks threatened to run riot.

Tuffley enjoyed their best spell early in the second half as Lloyd Irish saved well from Brett James then Liam Wright stole in to head over a free-kick from the left.

But play soon switched back down the other end, Broom firing just wide, then Aidan Chainey, a substitute for left back Nuno Felix who was injured just before the break, setting up Josh Searle who fizzed a shot fractionally wide.

Taunton’s two other substitutes were involved in the 77th minute move that wrapped up the tie.

Graham Mercieca, just on for Broom and in the squad for the first time this season after being limited by work commitments, arced a glorious 40 yard pass into the path of Rogers on the left flank.

The forward rounded Taylor and, with the angle too tight to tempt him to go for his hat-trick, picked out Klein-Davies’s replacement Craig Veal who slammed the ball home.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Jamie Price (captain), Nuno Felix (Aidan Chainey 45), Owen Irish, Jak Martin, Dale Evans, Josh Searle, Ben Carter, Jordan Rogers, Josh Klein-Davies (Craig Veal 64), Ryan Broom (Graham Mercieca 75). Unused subs: Charlie Hitchings, Michael Meaker.