The second of a Plainmoor double-header, United meet Taunton Town in the league for the first time on Tuesday night.
Aaron Downes’ United side will be looking to make home advantage count and build on Saturday’s 4-1 victory against Dartford at Plainmoor, when local rivals Taunton cross the border to provide the side with their next test, fresh on the back of their own victory against Worthing at the weekend.
Who’s the Boss?
Rob Dray was initially appointed as part of the Peacocks’ backroom staff as a coach in the summer of 2016, before stepping up to the helm as Head of Football in 2018, following the departure of Leigh Robinson. During his stint as a coach, Dray enjoyed much success with the Somerset side, with the team reaching the Emirates FA Cup First round Proper, and claiming the Southern League West Division title in consecutive campaigns.
Following a month at the helm as interim manager in September 2018, it was one month later Dray was appointed as Head of Football, before going on to guide Taunton Town to a second place finish in their first season at Southern Premier level. Having successfully led to Town to National League South football for the first time in their history, and then backed it up with a comfortable mid-table finish last time out, Dray has now established himself as a reputation as one of the division’s most respected coaches.
How have they been doing?
Taunton, along with Cornish side Truro City, have both played the least amount of league fixtures so far this season, with the pair having only had 32 outings so far, and therefore have a number of games in hand on all of the teams around them in the table. Currently sat in 21st, the Peacocks have accumulated 37 points following 8 wins, 13 draws and 11 defeats. Taunton went without a win after defeating Farnborough 4-0 back in early December, but recently put that drought to an end, after running out 3-1 winners against play-off chasing Worthing on Saturday.
Player to Watch
Defender Nick Grimes signed from Tiverton Town in August 2019, and ahead of the 2020/21 season, was handed the captain’s armband. Having now amassed over 100 senior appearances for the Somerset side, this season the 26-year-old has so far made 28 appearances and scored 5 goals, including in last Saturday’s triumph against the Rebels.
Grimes began his career at Exeter City where he progressed through the youth ranks before turning down a professional contract to attend Hartpury College, where he featured for both their Under-19s and senior teams. In October 2016, Nick joined Southern League side Slimbridge, before making the switch to Cinderford Town in the summer of 2017. Following his first season, the defender was awarded Player of the Season and appointed Club captain for the following season. A move back down South with Truro City followed in October 2018, where Nick scored on his debut, before making the switch to Tiverton at the end of the season.
Nick juggles his role as Club Captain for Taunton with studying to become an Advanced Chartered Accountant (ACA), as several members of his family are also accountants. Meanwhile Nick grew up in a sport-loving family, with his brother, Matt Grimes, now currently captain of Championship side Swansea City.
Played for Both
Following the closure of Torquays previous youth department, Torquay-born Austen initially joined Cornish side Truro City in 2017, before loan spells at Barnstaple and Buckland Athletic prompted a move back to Devon with stints at Tiverton Town and Plymouth Parkway. Signing on for Parkway in the summer of 2022, Austen enjoyed a successful campaign, rounded off by receiving the Supporters and Players’ Player of the Season accolades in the Club’s debut season at Southern Premier Level.
Last May saw him make the switch to Somerset with Taunton. Having been impressive form for the Peacocks during the first six months of this season, his subsequent departure from Town sparked interest from a whole host of other clubs. Booth, though, opted to join his hometown Club, and follow in the footsteps of his father, former Gulls Player of the Year, Jon Gittens. Since returning to Plainmoor, this time as a player, the centre-back has gone on to so far tally 7 appearances for the Club.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 4 – 2 Taunton Town, 17th January 2023, Isuzu FA Trophy
The two sides last battled it out in January 2023, when a place in the final 16 of the Isuzu FA Trophy awaited the winner. Dillon De Silva put United ahead on 15 minutes; after picking up the ball just inside the right edge of the 18-yard box, the then QPR loanee took a brief look up before planting an audacious left-footed curler into the top corner of the net. Six minutes later the advantage was doubled, this time a headed effort by centre-back Ali Omar saw the hosts lead 2-0 after 21 minutes.
Taunton hadn’t threatened much before the interval, however heading into the final 45 minutes, it was all-square again. First, on 27 minutes Nic McCootie was found unmarked at the far-post and fired home to reduce arrears, and 6 minutes before the interval Taunton made it 2-2, when Jake Wannell was perfectly poised to hook the ball past United goalkeeper Mark Halstead. On 43 minutes however, the visitors were reduced to 10 men, after a rash challenge saw Wannell receive his marching orders.
After the restart, despite being a man down, Taunton enjoyed a decent spell of possession, although they were unable to create anything of note with it, and it wasn’t too long before United eventually worked their way back into the match, and soon looked the more threatening. On 65 minutes United broke through once more. Ben Wyatt progressed down the left flank, before a delicious cross found Aaron Jarvis, who glanced home, 3-2.
Just as had happened in the first half, The Gulls duly stretched their advantage soon after. A ferocious shot from just outside the Taunton box by Jarvis certainly looked goalbound, and with a raised hand spotted by the officials, a penalty was instantly awarded. The delay that followed may have put some marksmen off, but not Torquay’s leading goalscorer, as he confidently gathered the ball before sending Jack Bycroft the wrong way to make it 4-2.
Vanarama National League South | Torquay United v Taunton Town | 12/03/24 7.45pm KO | Live Commentary available via TUFC Radio HERE | Stream the game LIVE on NLTV HERE