FA Cup match preview: Billericay Town v Taunton Town

Written by Leigh @beakster99 in Local sport👁 3,063

Thursday 18 October 2018, 8.48am

The Blues host step three side Taunton Town this Saturday in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. With a place on offer in the first round proper of the most famous Cup competition in the world, stakes are high. The Peacocks visit after eliminating National South side, St. Albans in an impressive 5-2 home victory in the previous round. With Billericay sealing their place in the draw after comfortable victories against level 10 outfit, Burnham FC, and Isthmian Premier opponents, Whitehawk, we expect Taunton to provide the sternest test so far on the Road to Wembley.

Taunton Town. Credit: Alex Davidson

Taunton has recent Cup pedigree reaching the 1st Round in 2016/17, only succumbing to National League side, Barrow, after a replay. The historic run was just the second time in the club’s history that it had reached this stage of the competition – previously achieved back in 1981. Qualification was ironically attained with a final qualifying victory over Dean Brennan’s Hemel Hempstead side. Subsequent to a goalless draw at Taunton, the Peacocks went through after a single goal from the penalty spot secured victory in the replay. Blues striker, Jake Robinson, formerly of Hemel, missed the first game with a hamstring injury and had to be replaced early in the first half at Vauxhall Road.

The architect of the Cup success, manager Leigh Robinson, left his position at the club in early September. In charge for six years, and having enjoyed great success, Robinson was tempted away from Somerset to take the reins at National South strugglers, Truro City. Former Plymouth Argyle and QPR winger, Michael Meaker, who was assistant manager at Taunton, also departed for the same role at the Cornish club. Under Robinson, the Peacocks were Southern League Division One South West champions last year, finishing 15 points clear and losing only one game all season. The new campaign at the higher level has seen a very good start for the Somerset side.

The Peacocks moved swiftly to install Head Coach, Rob Dray, as interim manager with Assistant Coach, Matt Villis, as his second-in-command. Dray, who joined Taunton in 2016, is best known as a coach but has managerial experience on his CV in the lower leagues at Bridgewater Town. Villis, 34, a former Taunton centre-back, has played successfully at almost every non-league level. He joined the coaching team in June 2018 after having to retire from playing through injury earlier in the year.

Taunton is handily placed in equal second position in the League after 11 matches. The new management duo has taken charge of five league games, recording three victories and two losses. In these matches, the West Country side benefits from a successful 100% record at the Viridor Stadium. Victories were achieved over bottom side, Chesham United (4-0) and 18th placed, Frome Town (3-0).

Away from home, defeats were incurred against 14th placed Metropolitan Police (1-4) and 8th placed Poole Town (0-1), last year’s relegated side from the National South. On Tuesday night, the Peacocks recorded their first away success under Dray at 16th placed side, Dorchester Town (2-1).

The Taunton side is known to be strong, athletic physical, and difficult to play against. Levels of fitness are outstanding and support a high intensity pressing game. Ex-manager, Robinson, who oversaw a very successful pre-season described the squad’s fitness as “phenomenal”. Praise indeed from a man who introduced cliff running and circuit training at his new club, Truro, last month. This has not changed under Dray who was influential within the previous regime. It is not by accident that the Peacocks have scored in the 86th minute or later in five of eleven League matches. They even saved a last minute strike for the FA Cup triumph over St. Albans earlier in the month.

Looking at the Taunton squad, the first impression is one of stability and a group of successful players that know each other well. Continuity is clear since the team sheet for the home leg of the FA Cup match against Hemel in October 2016 includes eight Taunton players still in the current match-day squad. On the premise that you don’t change a winning set-up, thirteen of last year’s roster was included on the retained list for the new season. Even the August signing of defender, Brett Trowbridge, was more a (second) return than the introduction of a new face. Unfortunately sustaining a bad facial injury in February 2018, he had initially left the club over the summer.

With success at the club pushing up average attendances beyond 550, and a local population hopeful of further progress up the pyramid, Taunton Town has a healthy financial situation. Sponsorship from the recycling, renewable energy and waste management group, Viridor, has provided important support. The company has its HQ in Taunton and is a subsidiary of the Pennon Group. The Group is a FT-SE 250 company with a market capitalisation of £3.0 billion. Viridor initially became involved in early 2014 and have a naming rights sponsorship deal running until 2019.

This all contrasts somewhat with the dark days of the past. Serious set backs included the July 2011 fire that destroyed the newly re-furbished clubhouse and severe ground flooding in early 2016. This also caused cash flow problems after multiple home matches had to be postponed. The future is brighter now for Taunton and Chairman/Chief Executive, Kevin Sturmey. He also doubles up as Head Groundsman and even earned the accolade of being the best in the League in this role in 2015. Sturmey’s vision for the club is to ultimately achieve step two football. The target this year of reaching the play off’s is within reach after a good start and continued momentum under Dray.

Ambitions for the ground include an upgrade for the Tom Harris stand with extra seating, renovation of the changing rooms, and development of closer football links with educational partner, Bridgewater and Taunton College. The playing surface at the Viridian Stadium has been improved in recent years. This involved the removal of over 100 tonnes of sand and re-levelling of the pitch at its lowest point. The removal of the sand has softened the surface, which was similar in texture to a concrete block. Having sustained a broken arm many years ago, in a fall on the pitch while playing for Taunton Reserves, Sturmey has unique insight into the benefits to the players of changes made.

Better infrastructure is important but nothing grips a fan like a star signing. With an increase in the budget once again this year, prolific striker, Andrew ”Rocky” Neal was acquired from Truro City. That he became a Peacock after having turned down an improved contract offer from the “White Tigers” is a real sign of progress. Leading scorer for Truro in 2016/17, he made an immediate impact at the Viridor, scoring nine goals from six pre-season games and has seven League goals so far. Pacey and favouring the left side, this slightly built frontman is very dangerous leading counter-attacks. His scoring record, including 60 goals in 44 appearances for Tiverton prior to joining Truro is impressive.

Neal is not the only Truro connection in the team. The well trodden path from Truro to Taunton is frequently made by players with captain, Matt Wright, versatile defender/midfielder Shane White, and midfielders Ben Adelsbury and Ryan Brett all having formerly played for the Cornish side. Wright, a bustling, physical striker, with an excellent aerial game, was top scorer last season with an eye-catching 29 goals. He has stared well at the higher level with five League goals in this campaign, including a last minute conversion of a pressure penalty to secure a 3-3 home draw against Hendon. Left-sided midfielder, Ryan Brett, adds technical quality with his delivery from midfield. Unfortunately, we won’t see him on Saturday as he completes a suspension for an earlier red card.

Somebody we will see is goalkeeper, Lloyd Irish, who has become a fixture in the side since he started his second stint with the Peacocks. Ever-present since October 2016, he has racked up a remarkable 265 consecutive appearances for the club and shows no sign of stopping. In front of Irish, Taunton has used both the back four and “three at the back” within a 3-5-2. At present, we think the latter formation predominates for the Peacocks with the trio of centre-backs of choice revolving around the experience of Keith Emmerson, 34, youth of ex-Mangotsfield Town defender, Josh Nelmes, 23, and ability of Brett Trowbridge, 32, to slot in to a back three.

Wing back duties are shared between any two from Shane White, Nuno Felix, and Pierce Mitchell. White can cover both full back positions, is also able to operate in central defence or, further forward, in midfield. We expect him to move across to right back this Saturday as Mitchell serves a suspension. Ex-Benfica academy, and Bristol Rovers player, Felix, should occupy the left wing back position. All full backs are versatile according to system and capable of good delivery from wide.

A key factor in the team’s success is the strength available in the central midfield where Blues should expect a tough contest. Within the “engine room” of the team, defensive midfielder, Ben Adlesbury, and box-to-box midfielder, Matt Buse, have held important roles in terms of winning the ball. Attacking threat is provided by youth system product, Ollie Chamberlain, who has followed up an outstanding season last season with another strong start to the campaign. When available, Ryan Brett is a first choice starter. Under Bray, he has operated slightly deeper, which allows him more opportunity to get on the ball and use his quality to deliver dangerous passes into the final third.

With 23 goals scored in 11 League games, Taunton carry a similar offensive threat to that which swept them to the title last year. Coach Dray’s decision to move striker Neal further forward and onto the shoulder of target man, Wright, has paid instant dividends. After a single goal in six matches, Neal’s change in position brought him six more goals, including a hat-trick in 30 minutes v Chesham. Options up front include ex-Tavistock Town striker, Dan Sullivan, who can either operate in the number 10 role or as one of the main strikers. When called upon, back-up striker, Craig Veal has also not let anybody down offering pace and aerial threat, scoring against Dorchester recently.

Ademola Shokunbi and Jake Robinson. Credit: Nicky Hayes

Billericay will need to be on top form against the visitors to secure passage into the next round. After a hard fought victory against Gloucester City, which showed some signs of tiredness in the latter stages, we expect Blues training intensity to have been managed down somewhat this week by coach, Brennan. The home side seem to have settled on a 4-3-3 formation and we see no reason why the line-up that played in the last League game should be materially changed. Should Ricky Modeste have recovered from his injury, we could perhaps see him coming into the first X1.

With a tie at home against lower league opposition, Billericay will rightly fancy their chances of getting through to the next round. With the Hemel experience in mind from two years ago, Brennan will be keen to eradicate the bad memories of that defeat and ensure progress to the main draw.

Taunton should ensure that the Essex side have to work hard if victory is to be achieved. With memories fresh of their comprehensive dismantling of St. Albans earlier this month, the Peacocks will not lack confidence that they can upset the odds and pocket the vital £25,000 prize money.