MATCH PREVIEW: CONCORD RANGERS VS TAUNTON TOWN

Match Preview 

Concord Rangers vs Taunton Town 

 

Nickname: The Peacocks 

Manager: Rob Dray 

Founded: 1947 

League Position: 14th  

 

This Saturday sees Concord play their first home game of the 2022/23 season as recently promoted Taunton Town come to the Aspect Arena. 

The Peacocks won the Southern Premier Division South last season following a 2-1 win over Farnborough in front of over 2,000 fans and they started their National League South adventure with a goalless draw against Welling on Saturday. 

Taunton were busy in the transfer market in the summer bringing in numerous new faces. Young goalkeeper Jack Bycroft arrives on loan from Southampton. Defensive duo Will Tunnicliff and Dan Ball have both arrived at the Cygnet Health Stadium; the latter brings sixth tier experience having previously played for Bath. 

Last season's top scorer Toby Holmes has departed to Poole Town, so manager Rob Dray has brought in new attackers in Jake Jervis, Nick McCootie and David Sims-Burgess; the latter another summer arrival from Bath. 

Similarly, to their Somerset opponents Concord also kept a clean sheet on opening day, however the Beach Boys were able to get themselves on the score sheet edging Hungerford Town by a goal to nil thanks to a Ricky Modeste goal.

Chris Search’s men are three games unbeaten ahead of Saturday’s game whereas Rob Dray’s men are four games unbeaten. 

Key Player 

Harry Warwick 

 

22-year-old striker Harry Warwick will be aiming to make this campaign his breakthrough season having arrived in Somerset from Chippenham Town in March this year. 

The youngster came through the youth ranks at Bristol Rovers during which time he enjoyed loan spells with: Gosport Borough, Dorchester and Cardiff Metropolitan.  

Warwick joined Chippenham last summer from the Gas. During his short spell with the Bluebirds Warwick scored once in a loss at Chelmsford. 

The 22-year-old will be aiming for more goals this term and he has already started the season brightly, bagging six goals in pre-season. 

Form 

Concord 

L - 1-4 vs Hornchurch (A) 

D - 1-1 vs Dagenham & Redbridge (H) 

W - 2-1 vs Southend (H) 

W - 1-0 vs Hungerford (A) 

 

Taunton 

W - 6-0 vs Frome Town (A) 

W - 3-0 vs Swindon Supermarine (A) 

W - 5-2 vs Tavistock AFC (H) 

D - 0-0 vs Welling (H) 

 

H2H 

 

25/11/2017: Taunton Town 3-2 Concord Rangers (FA Trophy Qualifier) 

 

 

By Nathan Williams