TAUNTON Town will be hoping for a better reaction to a New Year derby defeat today - against Gosport Borough - than they managed at the start of the last decade.

Last Wednesday saw the Peacocks lose 3-2 away to Tiverton Town, and it was a similar story on January 1, 2010, when they were beaten 1-0 at Bridgwater Town in Division 1 South & West of the Zamaretto League.

That match was played out in front of a huge crowd, with 1,016 in the ground - the first Bridgwater-Taunton derby to top the thousand mark since 1996.

Lloyd Irish, who departed for Weston-super-Mare before returning to Taunton in 2014 (remaining there ever since), was the first goalkeeper called into action - making a couple of early saves from former Peacock Nick McCootie.

The visitors soon settled, though, and with Alexis Piper looking lively, James Clough missed two good chances.

The profligacy in front of goal continued, as McCootie headed wide of an unguarded net, before Craig Veal, Rodney Marsh and Raiff Gwinnett all went close for Taunton after half-time.

The only goal of the match came with 20 minutes to go, as Marcus Duharty was fouled by Dan Short, and Bridgwater captain Chris Young tucked away the penalty.

Steve Orchard was sent off for an apparent headbutt, but despite the man advantage Taunton were unable to claim a first win since August 2009.

Bridgwater Town team: Tom Manley, Jamie Price, Matt Pitcher, Matt Villis, Jamie Laird, Brett Trowbridge, Steve Orchard, Ben Kirk, Graham Mercieca, Chris Young, Nick McCootie. Subs: Marcus Duharty, Craig Thomas. Subs not used: Lee Bailey, Matt Beadle, Andy Robertson.

Taunton Town team: Lloyd Irish, Luke Cole, Raiff Gwinnett, Neil Bailey, Dan Short, James Clough, Andy Butler, Rodney Marsh, Shaun Anthony, Craig Veal, Alexis Piper. Subs: John Harris, Danny Lane, Darren Rice. Subs not used: Dave Anthony, Nick Peare.

Taunton fans will be hopeful of a better response against Gosport today, than that which followed in January 2010 - the Peacocks losing their next match 5-0 at Cirencester Town.

Taunton - then under the management of Paul West - were in real relegation danger at this point, but a run of five wins and two draws between February 13 and March 9 proved crucial as they finished the 2009/10 season in 18th spot, three places above the relegation zone.

Bridgwater ended the campaign in third, going down 4-3 (after extra time) against Cirencester in the play-off final to just miss out on promotion.

The clubs have gone in opposite directions since, with Bridgwater dropping into the Western League and Taunton gaining promotion to Southern League Premier level under Leigh Robinson.