Stadium: Cygnet Health Care Stadium (Capacity: 2,500)
Table Position: 19th
Top Scorers: David Sims-Burgess and Ross Stearn (6)
Manager: Rob Dray
Nickname: The Peacocks
2022/23 average attendance: 750
On Tuesday evening Concord Rangers have the chance to close the gap on their relegation rivals as the Beach Boys travel to Taunton Town.
One of just two National League South games being played on Tuesday night, this fixture between the two strugglers was originally scheduled to be played in January however a waterlogged pitch resulted in it being postponed.
Prior to the original fixture date Taunton were five games unbeaten and hadn't lost on home turf since August 2021. Fast forward to April and the Peacocks have racked up just three wins in 15 games are winless in their past five home matches - losing five on the bounce at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium.
This trend continued on Saturday with ten men Taunton being edged by 1-0 by runaway league leaders Ebbsfleet United, and as a result the Peacocks remain two places and four points clear of the relegation zone.
On the other hand Concord Rangers weren't in action this weekend due to a controversial postponement of their fixture at home to Havant and Waterlooville.
As a result the Beach Boys missed out on the chance to end their four game losing run and pick up their second win in ten league games.
Both sides will be desperate to win in their fights for survival however it's unlikely to be a goal fest in Somerset. Rangers are the lowest scoring side in the division and Taunton are the second lowest having netted on five more occasions.
Furthermore their combined goal tally of 71 is bettered by four other clubs in the division with Ebbsfleet scoring 95 goals, Worthing 75, Dartford 74 and Oxford City 73.
The reverse fixture in August was won by Rangers, with a first half Ben Williamson penalty enough to secure a 1-0 win for the Beach Boys.
Despite this being Taunton's first ever season at step two level, Concord have made the trip to the Peacocks once before in 2017. On that day the hosts won 3-2 in the FA Trophy.
Key Player
Jack Bycroft
Despite being involved in a relegation fight this term Taunton are still able to boast the fifth best defensive record in the division and this is largely down to on loan goalkeeper Jack Bycroft.
A summer signing from Southampton, Bycroft has worked wonders since arriving in Somerset from St Mary's.
The 21 year old has appeared 42 times for the Peacocks this season, helping Town to 14 clean sheets.
Previously in his career Bycroft has also had loan stints with Weymouth and Dorchester Town.
Form
Taunton Town
W - 1-0 vs Welling United (A)
W - 2-0 vs Braintree Town (A)
L - 1-3 vs Hampton & Richmond Borough (A)
L - 0-1 vs Ebbsfleet United (H)
Concord Rangers
L - 1-2 vs Chelmsford City (H)
L - 0-2 vs Braintree Town (N) - Essex Senior Cup
L - 0-3 vs Hemel Hempstead Town (A)
L - 1-2 vs Farnborough (A)
Head-to-head
13/08/2022: Concord Rangers 1-0 Taunton Town
25/11/2017: Taunton Town 3-2 Concord Rangers
By Nathan Williams
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