FAT4R: Torquay United v Taunton Town 3pm 17th January 2023

4-2. Home to Barnet in 5th round. On our way to Wembley?
No doubt Blindpew putting up the bunting.

I could get used to this winning lark! Being well wrapped up it wasn't too bad watching either.

After a tentative start from both teams it was DeSilva who initially made the difference getting the ball on the right and down to the byline to make some telling crosses. Lapslie had a chance which was scuffed just wide but then a minute later the ball came out to DeSilva who this time had the space to cut inside and let fly with a lovely left-footed shot curling into the top left-hand corner for great goal. I was directly in line behind the shot and knew it was in as soon as he hit it. A few minutes later and we were two up. A freekick into the box was headed back across goal to find Omar at the far post and although he was under pressure and didn't get a clean header, the ball just had enough to sneak in for what I believe is only his second goal for the club.

Just as I was starting to get that rare confident feeling, Aguiar took a heavy challenge on his foot but the ref waved play on and with the team slightly disorganised appealing for a foul, Taunton were able to find a gap in our area for their striker to slot home for what I think was the away side's first chance. Shortly after I think they were lucky to still have 11 players on the pitch. A long ball out to Aguiar on the halfway line saw him tussle with the Taunton defender who went down and as Aguero skipped clear with the ball and with only one more covering defender to beat, the defender on the floor used his hand to trip Aguiar from behind, a professional foul which was lucky to get just a yellow.

Shortly after from a fairly innocuous free kick out wide, Taunton were able to win the ball on the edge of the area to again find space for their player in the area to too easily equalise. So in 10 minutes we went from being in cruise control, that perhaps being the problem to once again being neck and neck in a game we should be winning. However just before half-time, a highish boot from a Taunton player raked Evan's lower back to earn a straight Red. I thought the decision was on the harsh side this time as there was no malice or force.

So on to the second-half where I thought it would be just a matter of time for us to put the game to bed. It took 20 minutes when Wyatt, who had a good game, particularly combining well with Evans at times on the left, was able to knock the ball past their defender and run onto the ball and cross from near the by-line in exactly the right place for Jarvis to run onto and nod into the back of the net. A few minutes later Jarvis had a shot from the edge of the area which was blocked by their defender who went down injured but from a penalty appeal the referee pointed to the spot. Jarvis duly converted after a long injury break. The game was in effect over and it was just a question of whether we could add to our total but we weren't clinical enough. One case in point being when Jarvis through but out wide ran the ball out of play for a goal kick with Evans in acres of space in the area.

Lawrence seemed to have a good debut and looked calm on the ball. Crole came on late in the game but was unable to make his mark.

Thanks for the reports, gents.

I’d like to put the bunting up somewhere! 🕳️ 

Back to reality on Saturday…and we all know what reality does!