Taunton & District League

Rowbarton Charity Cup

2nd Round

Friday 15th December 2023

Kick Off 20.00 On Time!

Stogursey 3 Wyvern United 4, attendance 19

7’ 0-1

15’ 0-2

45’ 1-2

45’ + 2, 1-3

62’ 2-3

63’ 3-3

90’ + 3, 3-4

@ 1610 Castle Sports Centre, 3G Pitch

Wellington Road

Taunton

TA1 5AU

No Admission or Programme.

This was played on the 3G pitch at the 1610 Castle Sports Centre, which is in the centre of a six lane running track. There is spectator access along the whole of one side, as well as watching from the opposite side if you are prepared to wriggle under the mesh netting that hangs loosely above the rail. There are a couple of dugouts on the same side as the viewing area, but rather oddly, they are positioned against the mesh fencing at the rear of the cage. Access to the car park is off either Taunton Road (A38) from the front or via Heron Drive to the rear (off Silkmills Road A3065). Parking restrictions in the area mean you are more or less forced to park in the car park, which is monitored by cameras and annoyingly, payment can only be made by phone, but at least it was only £1.40.

The match was between two Premier Division teams, as 5th hosted 7th as far as league positions go. Wyvern were two up inside fifteen minutes, in a real end to end game. Stogursey pulled a goal back in the final minute of the first half, but a 25 yarder, that dipped over the ‘keeper, saw Wyvern restore their two goal lead a couple of minutes into stoppage time. Two goals in as many minutes saw Stogursey draw level just after the hour mark, with a 25 yarder into the bottom corner quickly followed by a ball over the top that was finished with a lob over the ‘keeper. How they never added to this takes some believing, as the Wyvern ‘keeper pulled off four brilliant saves, as well as another effort hitting the underside of the crossbar, before being cleared off the line. It looked like they’d pulled off an incredible turnaround, when they scored again with three minutes left, but it was ruled to have been offside. Just as it seemed we’d be heading to penalties, it was Wyvern who nicked a winner, with the last kick of the match, when an unstoppable shot from 30 yards flew into the top corner, beating the ‘keeper at the near post.