Match Preview

Bideford take to the road again this Easter Monday to take on high flying Taunton Town in the Southern League.

Taunton Town vs Bideford
Southern League Division One South & West
Monday 17th April 2017
3:00pm kick off
Viridor Stadium, Taunton

A Brief History of Taunton Town
Taunton Town were originally founded in 1947 as Taunton FC joining Western League Division Two in 1954/55. Just one season later Taunton finished second and were promoted to the Western League Premier Division. In 1968/69 Taunton won their first Western League title and also changed their name to Taunton Town. The Peacocks stepped up to the Southern League Southern Division in 1977/78 but switched to the Midland Division a year later before dropping back to the Western League in 1983/84. Taunton won their second Western League title in 1989/90 which kicked off a very successful period for the club. They were runners-up in the FA Vase in 1993/94 losing the final to Diss Town at Wembley. A third Western League title was won in 1995/96 and three more followed with consecutive titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Peacocks also lifted the FA Vase in 2001 with a final victory over Berkhampsted Town at Villa Park. After finishing as runners-up in 2001/02 Taunton accepted promotion to the Southern League Western Division. They were moved to Division One South & West in the league reshuffle in 2006. Taunton finished fourth in 2014/15 but were beaten in their play-off semi final by Stratford Town and finished a club high of third a season later but this time were beaten in the play-off final by Banbury United. The six time Western League champions have twice reached the first round proper of the FA Cup. Firstly in 1981/82 where they were beaten by Swindon Town and also this season where they were edged out by Barrow after a replay.

Taunton Town FC
The Viridor Stadium
Wordsworth Drive
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2HQ
Tel: 01823 254909
Web: www.tauntontown.com
Twitter: @TauntonTownFC

Form Guide
Taunton are having an excellent season sitting in 2nd position (W27 D6 L7) with two games to go. The Peacocks also reached the second round proper of the FA Cup losing out to Barrow after a replay and are the only team to have beaten champions Hereford this season. Taunton will be hoping to secure second position in their final two fixtures before turning their attention to the play offs.

Taunton Town's last six (LLWWDW)
15/04/17 Bridgwater Town 1 Taunton Town 5 (League)
08/04/17 Taunton Town 1 Hereford 1 (League)
01/04/17 Taunton Town 6 Mangotsfield United 1 (League)
28/03/17 Keynsham Town 1 Taunton Town 2 (Somerset Cup SF)
25/03/17 Evesham United 2 Taunton Town 0 (League)
18/03/17 Larkhall Athletic 3 Taunton Town 0 (League)

Bideford are on their worst run of the season with no wins in eight games but produced a much more encouraging performance against Evesham United on Saturday, a game The Robins really should have won. Bideford remain in 9th position (W15 D11 L14) with two games remaining.

Bideford's last six (LLLLDD)
15/04/17 Bideford 1 Evesham United 1 (League)
11/04/17 AFC Totton 3 Bideford 3 (League)
08/04/17 Slimbridge 2 Bideford 0 (League)
28/03/17 Paulton Rovers 2 Bideford 1 (League)
25/03/17 Bideford 0 North Leigh 2 (League)
18/03/17 Swindon Supermarine 4 Bideford 1 (League)

Most recent meetings
02/01/17 Bideford 2 Taunton Town 4 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
03/10/16 Bideford 4 Taunton Town 0 (Southern League Cup R1)
15/10/13 Bideford 3 Taunton Town 2 (Southern League Cup R1)
09/04/12 Bideford 1 Taunton Town 0 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
26/12/11 Taunton Town 2 Bideford 3 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
22/11/11 Bideford 4 Taunton Town 3 (Southern League Cup R2)