For the second away day running, a single effort from Dominic Poleon secured the three points – but it meant oh so much more to the travelling hordes from Kent than a mere allocation of points.
It came late and it wasn’t quite decisive enough to win the title given Dartford’s victory at Princes Park but nobody cared too much. Instead, it set the scene for the Fleet to go in the hunt of the single point they need in front of their home fans this Good Friday.
With the uncertainties hanging over the game until well past midday, and Fleet fans already either in Taunton or heading for it, the go-ahead was a welcome relief and the visitors didn’t disappoint their followers.
There was just the one change from the team that defeated Slough as the expected news of Rakish Bingham’s season-ending injury saw him give way to Billy Clifford.
The pitch was heavy as expected though Taunton had put in plenty of hard work to get it playable and the weather gods smiled on the game as the afternoon passed without further rainfall… and even in sunlight for much of the 90 minutes.
It wasn’t a timid game as Zac Smith found his name taken inside the opening 10 minutes for taking out Ben Chapman as the hosts stick to their task and didn’t make things easy for the Fleet.
It was Chapman who proved to be the best outlet early on with his runs to the byline in attempts to supply the ammunition for Poleon – but it was Clifford with the first solid chance, firing on target on 18 minutes for Jack Bycroft to make the save low on his line.
At the other end, Mark Cousins was in commanding form as he had to reach for several deliveries, especially a Lloyd James free-kick on 25 minutes as Taunton grew into the game. The Fleet goalkeeper was bravely down at Nat Jarvis’s feet four minutes later as Smith’s effort went beyond the last teal shirt, allowing the striker to slide in on it in the six-yard box.
The home side celebrated what they thought was the opener five minutes before half-time when a Callum Evans effort was diverted past Cousins but the offside flag was raised much to the dismay of the Peacocks following.
If Taunton had enjoyed a foothold in the game in the first period, they had to dig in for the second 45 as the Fleet grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in midfield, Christian N’Guessan and Clifford continually trying to pick apart the home defence to no avail.
Omari Sterling-James was introduced on the hour after his return from international duty and he was straight away into the fray, teasing the Taunton full-backs before hitting the side-netting with a chance. There was plenty of resolve and even more possession for the Fleet but Taunton’s tight defence which they have prided themselves on this season stood firm.
Twice the Fleet appealed for penalties, with Chapman unable to believe his lack of success in being awarded the first of those. And then a Toby Edser free-kick hit a Taunton foot and scraped the bar as it was deflected over and behind.
Taunton were penned into their own half but late on Jarvis found himself with a half of yard of space between the Fleet defenders and his powerful shot had to be gathered well by Cousins.
Fleet boss Kutrieb, however, refused to let his men settle for the draw and constantly urged them to play quicker. Franklin Domi was the next sub into the action and when he was flattened by Lee Lucas four minutes from the end as he shaped to shoot from outside the box, the referee had no hesitation in showing the Taunton player a red card for his transgression.
Luke O’Neill sent the free-kick towards the bottom corner to be superbly palmed away by Bycroft but it was the glimpse of goal the Fleet needed.
With six minutes of time signalled after a lengthy treatment period for Bycroft, Sterling’s reverse pass found N’Guessan who deposited a delightful effort to the opposite post and although the goalkeeper kept that one out too, he was powerless as Poleon came steaming in to bundle the ball over at the foot of the woodwork to bring the roars of delight pouring out of the Fleet fans behind the goal.
Taunton appealed in vain for offside as the visitors took the points that sees them unassailable at the summit but for goal difference – and that can be put to bed on Friday at the Kuflink Stadium.
EUFC: Cousins, O’Neill, Martin (Domi 66), Solly, N’Guessan, Clifford, Wright (McQueen 80), Edser, Chapman (Sterling-James 59), Cundle, Poleon. Subs: Romain, Hollis
TTFC: Bycroft, Smith, Evans, Grimes, Chamberlain, Lucas, James, Guest, Jarvis, Morgan, Sims-Burgess.
Attendance: 958
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