United take a break in league action to focus on the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday, when Gary Johnson’s men will host Taunton Town.
This weekend’s fixture will mark the first competitive meeting between the two sides, and with a trip to Wembley now only four wins away, both teams will be eager to get themselves in the hat for the Fifth Round draw.
Who’s the Boss?
Rob Dray was initially appointed as part of the Peacock’s 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.
He also boasts a wealth of non-league experience having both played and managed within the non-league pyramid. Dray has previously played for and managed Bridgwater Town Reserves before going on to manage the first team. A three year spell as Assistant Manager at Bideford preceded a short stint at Yate Town.
How have they been doing?
Despite the Somerset side currently sitting 17th in the National League South, Dray’s Peacock’s have only completed 19 fixtures so far this season, with all of the teams positioned above them having played between 22 and 27 matches. With a mixed bag of results, so far in their league campaign, Taunton have won 6, drawn 7, and lost 6.
Town have already claimed one notable scalp in cup competition however, with a Lloyd James penalty enough to see off local rivals Yeovil Town in their FA Cup replay at the Cygnet Stadium last October.
Player to Watch
Ollie Chamberlain is an attacking midfield player who signed from Bridgwater Town in November 2015. Ollie played for Taunton’s successful Under 18 side in 2011-12 when he also made several first team appearances. Went on to join Bridgwater before going on to play for Western League Wellington in 2013. Returned to Bridgwater in the summer of 2014.
Played for Both
Former Wales U21 midfielder Lloyd James spent a month on loan at Plainmoor just over three years ago, making four appearances for Gary Johsnon’s side.
A veteran of more than 350 Football League games, Lloyd joined Taunton, initially on loan, from Bath City in December 2021. He spent his early career at Southampton, being a member of their team that reached the FA Youth Cup Final in 2005 and went on to make more than 70 first team appearances until his release at the end of the 2009-10 season. He then signed for Colchester United where he racked up more than 50 senior displays over two seasons as well as a short loan spell at Crawley Town in March 2012.
After rejecting a new contract at Colchester, he joined Leyton Orient in July 2012 and spent the next four seasons with the London club, making over 100 appearances. After his departure from Orient in the summer of 2016 he spent the next two campaigns at Exeter City before moving on to Forest Green Rovers and then Bath City, prior to arriving in Somerset.
Previous Encounter
Although Saturday’s meeting will be the first between the two sides at senior level, United met a spiritual predecessor of the current Taunton Club back in 1926/27, as Percy Mackrill’s side stormed to the 1926/27 title. An opening day 4-1 Southern League win at Plainmoor, courtesy of goals from Bloxham, Hughes, Daniels and Andrews set the tone for Torquay’s Football League promotion, although the Western League match that followed at the same venue in late April 1927 was much tighter, with Griffith’s solitary strike enough to settle a closely-fought encounter.
Isuzu FA Trophy 4th Round | Torquay United v Taunton Town | 14/01/23 3pm KO | Tickets available HERE