TAVS TOPPLED FROM TOP

A youthful Taverners side came crashing down to earth with a comprehensive defeat against an excellent Wotton side. Having not lost at home since February 2019 it was already looking a tough place to visit and that got even harder with 7 players unavailable for the game, including top scorers Dean Neale and Kyle Adams. Taverners were on the back foot from the off with ex Forest Green player Joe Stokes pulling the strings from midfield enabling Wotton to dominate possession. However the deadlock wasn’t broken until the 23rd minute with a back post header from Danny Thorpe. Until that point Tavs senior centre back pairing of Jamie Bish and Mike Thornton were matching everything thrown at them. Tavs threatened in patches but never really got into the game and Wotton made it 2-0 just before the break after James Potts sprinted through to finish nicely across goal.

Half time 2-0

Taverners started the second period well and nearly claimed a goal back after good work by Harley Hudd. His cross found the head of Brook Jenner at the back post but the goal keeper pulled off a sensational save to deny a route back in to the game. That was a clinical moment as shortly after Wotton grabbed their 3rd goal on 57 minutes after a fine individual piece of brilliance from Joe Stokes who netted into the bottom corner. 3 minutes later Man of the Match Mitchell Cornock made it 4-0 and Jobi Morris made it 5 in the 70th minute after excellent play from Stokes again. Connor Wilkins in the Tavs goal was is fine form again as he pulled off a number of first class saves to deny Potts and Stokes. Cornick got his 2nd of the game and Morris made it 7 with his 2nd of the afternoon. Russ Chamberlain produced a couple of long range efforts for the away side but overall Tavs were outdone by an experienced, strong Wotton side who have been playing together for many seasons and look real contenders for the league title.

Next Week Tavs look to bounce back at home to Sharpness Reserves 2,30pm Kick Off.

Man of the Match for Taverners was Jamie Bish.