1st+XI


 * This is the 2007-8 season blog for Tauntons College 1st XI Football Team.** toc

Tauntons 5 v 4 Barton Peveril**
 * November 28th

Scorers: Lynch (2), Morgan, Manning, I.Fowler

This game was a big derby match with quite an OK amount of supporters watching. Tauntons took the lead within the first 10 minutes with good work from Lynch with the ball being deflected in, minutes later a similiar situation this time with Morgan on the ball, same outcome 2 v 0. Barton then battled their way back with a contorversial penalty awarded, followed by another goal, 10minutes later. Tauntons were then awarded a freekick which was delivered by Gundry, picking out Lynch who finished well with his head. Barton weren't finished yet with them yet again bringing the scores level and then taking the lead for the first time taking it to 4 v 3 to Barton. The game turned again when an absolute wonder strike from around 35 yards out was hit by Chris Manning, the shot hitting the bar before bouncing to "Bracket City". Tauntons were now buzzing and looking for the win, which finally came after a little scrabble in the box was finished by Ian Fowler with little time to play. The ref blew and Tauntons continued their unbeaten streak. A good performance from the whole team who travel to Oxford on Monday before playing Barton again on Wednesday. 1196591073

Tauntons 8 v 1 St. Vincents**
 * November 21st

Scorers: Lynch (5), Gundry, Morgan, Josh RL

This game carried on our unbeaten season**,** but was much different from any game so far. The game got off to a flying start with lynchy helping himself to an impress hatrick within the 1st 7 minutes of the game. This set the tone for the first half which was an on slaught from the word go. Dean Ballard had a vital part to play in both on nathans first goal. Gundry got the next goal after a few 1,2's with Lambert, he was played through and got taken down winning a penalty, converting it clinically himself. Taylor then helped himself to a goal rounding the keeper, with Lynch taking another two before half time, with impressive finshing and assists all round. At half time we went in 7-0 up so we changed things around and played lynchy at the back, never a centre back, with Davis going up top. This only last for around 10 minutes until Colin realised it wasnt working. We made plenty of opportunities but did not convert until late on after a great passing move involving Ballard, Coxy, Lynch and Green, with Josh RL putting an clinical finish to the move. They did get one late on with us down to 10 men due to Colin taking off Gundry and having no subs to replace him. But another game, which showed great skill all over the park. Lets hope for a similiar score for the next 2 weeks as we face Barton. 1195844663

November 14th

 * SE Regional British College 5 a side**

Congratulations to the Tauntons Football teams that competed at the David Beckham Academy. The Women's 5 aside team reached the Quarter Finals narrowly losing 1-0. The Men's 5 aside team won the competition and go on to represent the SE at Loughborough University. Colin Morris was particularly proud, not only of the victory but the quality of football they played.

November 7th

 * Tauntons 3 v 0 QMC**

Scorers: Fear, Cox, M. Fowler

Team: Franklin, Davis, Fear, Wright, Lambert, Manning, Gundry, Josh RL, Morgan, Cox, Green

Thsi game was a very important match and as it was Nationals, the team were without the elder of the team Lynch, Gilbert and Dunne. The team were fired up after a long journey in the Morris Fun Bus! The first 20 minutes we will have to admit that they had the control of the game. But we then grabbed a good few minutes which was rewarded with a well taken header from Mitch Fear, even with Davis trying to poach the goal on the line. Going in 1 up at half time. Second half and their team seemed to tire, with our team growing with confidence. 15 minutes in and the team doubled their lead with a well taken lob over the keeper outside the box. This goal really demoralised their team and with Matt Fowler getting his debut he popped up to finish the game with a superb first time volley on the edge of the box. Another good performance and another win!!! 8 in 8 1194534578

October 31st

 * Tauntons 6 v 0 Havant**

Scorers: Morgan, Lambert, Lynch, Ballard, Fear, OG

Team: Franklin, Joe R-l, Fear, Gilbert, Davis, Gundry, Josh R-L, Manning, Morgan, Lambert, Cox SUBS: Lynch, Ballard, Young

After an unbeaten run Tauntons took on Havant college. Another game and another win. Both teams looked strong from the start but with Havant playing 4-5-1 it was hard for us to go forward as they had more men behind the ball at all times. Until after a great bit of football Lambert broke through to score 1-0. We continued as we meant to go on, with solid passing and moving as well as good communication. as we pressed forward and then Taylor finished of a move to make it 2-0. As half time approached, tauntons had a set peice in which Mitch fear converted after a great delivery from Cox to make it 3-0 at half time. Second half and the pace of the game continued. Havant came out into the second half ready for a battle but we proved to strong for them winning every battle in the middle of the park and then finding our players to attack. Then minutes later, Nath latched on to a through ball to find the back of the net and put the score to 4-0. With Havant still battling we stepped it up once more and after another set peice the Havant keeper saved but then spilt the ball into his own net. 5-0. Finally after a great long ball from Gilber which was flicked on by Nath, Ballard was through on goal to wrap the game up at 6-0. Again unbeaten and loking to keep that record for the rest of the season user:JamesFranklin1

October 17th

 * Tauntons 3 v 1 Portsmouth**

Scorers: Davis (2), Gundry (pen)

Team: Franklin, Lambert, Fear, Wright, Davis, Ballard, Josh RL, Gundry, Green, Morgan, Lynch. SUBS: Manning, Giblet, Fowler

Tauntons welcomed their south-coast rivals to the college, in front of a decent crowd. Missing Danny Cox (holiday) and Charlie Anderson (injury), Tauntons were forced to start the game with a diamond 4-4-2 formation. A lively first twenty minutes for an on-form, but weakened Tauntons side resulted in a number of early chances, none of which were taken. As Porstmouth found their feet, they began to create chances and made Tauntons pay on half an hour, following up a twenty yard strike. Tauntons continued to apply pressure in what was a fiery encounter, but went into half-time 1-0 down.

Stand in manager Andy Martino was forced to make a straight swap up front, with Taylor Morgan being forced off due to injury (replaced by Ian fowler). A lively match began to get somehwhat out of hand, with a succession of late tackles, and the subsequent bust-ups, resulting in bookings for Gundry and Rees-Long. In terms of posession and chances created, the second half began to take up a familiar pattern to the first, with Tauntons having the best of it. Ballard was replaced soon in by Chris Manning, who protected the defence admirably. This was no reflection on Dean, who is beginning to establish himself as a first team regular. Ryan Lambert was in inspiring form, and got the better of what was a heated affair down the Portsmouth left-hand side. As the intensity rose somehwhat further, Tauntons sensed an oppertunity. As Nathan Lynch trapped a long ball before being brought down inside the box, there could be only one outcome...penalty! Inevitably, Gundry took control of the situation and emphatically smashed home for a well-deserved equalizer. Despite an admirable midfield performance from the porstmouth side, Tauntons wee beginning to impose themselves on the game. They duely showed why they had scored so many goals in the opening two months of the season, with left-back James Davis getting lost in the box before heading home to put his side in the lead. Before the end of the game, Davis would double his account with yet another "bullet" (50p) header to put the result beyond doubt. The final ten minutes was not without incedent as the tackles continued to fly in. The game was however over as a contest, with Portsmouth offering little in the shape of a comeback.

The midfield ever-presents Gundry and Rees-Long battled well and got a grip of the game in the second half, with Portsmouth midfield seemingly tiring. The change in formation did not seem to effect the team, with the midfield in particular displaying good versatility in recognizing and adapting the strengths and weaknesses the different formation leant itself too. Stew Green did not see as much of the ball as he would have liked, but proved effective on occasions. The diamond formation suits him to a tee and he looked very accomplished on the ball, another player eastablishing a case to be a 1st team regular.

Although the match was not the prettiest of the season to date, Tauntons played well in patches and looked much more established in defence. Mitch Fear was replced by Giblet in the second half, having little effect on the game. Gilbert displayed good versatility to do a job at centre half, alongside ever-persent and reliable Joe Wright. Under-strength but still too strong, this Tauntons team is showing League winning potential even at this early stage and with Cox and (Mr) Anderson to return, things could not be looking better at this moment in time. Played 6, won 6... speaks for itself! 1193914189

October 10th
Tauntons 4 V 0 Alton

Scorers Lynch (3), Morgan

__Team__

Franlyn, Fear, Wright, Davis, Joe RL, Manning, Gundry (C), Ballard, Lambert, Morgan, Lynch. SUBS Josh RL ( Joe RL), Giblet ( Ballard)

The Taunton's 1st team continued their great start to the season thanks to hard work and better ability than thier oponents. Tauntons got two early goals thanks to clinical finshin from Lynch. Manning and Gundry dominated the midfield, with quick passing and hard tackles. Joe RL was relaced by lookalike Josh RL due to injury. The 1st half ended with tackles flying in. Second half came, and started how the first half ended. However Tauntons kept thier heads and stood strong. Unfortunatly during this period 1st team coach Colin Morris was bizarrely sent off are he politely asked the referee to ensure the safety of his and Altons players. Tauntons came under pressure after this but rode the storm. Then the class came through with Nathan Lynch finishing off his hat trick with a nice finish. Taylor finshed the scoring with a good header with a great a team move. This Tautons team is looking good. There is alot of confidence in the team. Only time will tell to see what the potential this team has ..........

October 3rd
Tauntons College 7 v Varndean 1

Scorers: Taylor (3), Lambert (2), Anderson and Cox Report

This wednesday was the first round of the ESFA, The squad played really well with our relitvley new formation of 4-3-3. We had Chris Manning playing in the key holding roll this week who had a great game. After about 15 minutes we went 1-0 up with a 1on1 finish from Cox. 5 minutes after Varndead equalised. We then scored 2 quick goals from Anderson and Morgan wich made the score 3-1 at half time. The second half we kept the ball for the hole half varndean had 1 shot from about 30 yards out which didnt trouble the stand in keeper James Franklin had no trouble with. The flood gates then opened with Lambert and taylor both with a brace befoe the 90 minutes ended. Dean Ballard also had a good game coming on just after half time fitting in the middle of the park with a safe Gundry and Manning.

September 26th

 * Tauntons College 12 v 0 Sparshot**

Scorers: Lynch (6), Lambert (2), Anderson (2), Taylor and Gundry

Report

As the scorleine will suggest this match was no close battle, once We had scored our first goal, they just kept on coming. With this giving the team a chance to work the new formation and to bond even more. It was a good game to watch as even though some goals were through slack defence, others were from playing to the patterns of play. Playing 3 up top and having a holding defender in front of the backline the team had a strong hold on the game, dominating possession. The 3 up top made it easier for the defence to find the top man and the man holding just swept eveything up in the middle.

September 19th

 * Tauntons College 5 v 2 Bournemouth College**

Scorers: Fear (3), Lynch, Anderson Report Second game of the year and again another good win. With a new unknown and unseen goal source, coming from Mitch Fear who helped himself to a hatrick with 2 good headers and then wrapping it up with a penalty. Danny Cox was supplier for both of Mitch's headers delivering to the pin of Mitchell's head. The other goals came from Nathan Lynch and Charlie Anderson, with Lynch hitting 3 in 2 and Anderson 2 in 2. The team were showing off their new kit with the photographers there to take the pictures. The team are becoming more like a team and look good for the title.

September 12th

 * Queen Mary's College 5 Tauntons College 7**

Scorers**: Rees-Long, Davis, Taylor, Anderson, Cox, Lynch (2)**

This game was the first game of the season for a newly reformed 1st team; the team had a good variation of 1st and 2nd years. The team didn’t take long to click when a cross was half cleared and lurking on the edge of the box was Rees-Long who caught the ball on the bounce and found the top corner! This goal definitely kicked started the goals as it came on about the 5minute mark. A strong run from left then saw the lead double through James Davis. The other goals through the game came from great team play, setting up Charlie Anderson and Danny Cox. The striker duo of Lynch and Taylor up front was too much for them, with Lynch toying with them for his 1st and putting the player "on the weights" for his second goal as he stated in his celebrations. Taylor then got his well deserved goal, with him and the rest of the team again linking up well. There were plenty of strong performances all around the park and taking away a deserving victory. They had a few decent attacks as it shows from the 5 goals they had but overall the game was bizarre to say the least with the second half beginning without a linesman down our side.