Two goals from Archie Ferris secured a 3-2 win for the Peacocks in their latest pre-season friendly at Willand Rovers on Friday (July 19).

This came on the back of a defeat to Bristol Manor Farm on Wednesday (July 17).

The visitors were presented with an ideal chance to open the scoring after 7 minutes when Alfie Moulden latched onto a poor clearance and was brought down by Jack Kennell. However, Moulden’s penalty was saved by Willand keeper George Burton.

Moulden made amends when he headed Town in front on 14 minutes from a David Duru cross before the home side drew level after 31 minutes through Owen Howe who converted a through ball from Douglas Camilo.

Taunton keeper Adam Parkes made a fine save from Ash Hewitt’s fierce strike but was unable to prevent Rovers from taking the lead after 68 minutes after bringing down Camilo for Howe to score from the penalty spot. Substitute Ferris equalised on 81 minutes, steering home on the goal line from Owen Brain’s low centre before the Town striker grabbed the winner one minute from time, receiving Moulden’s pass to move inside and drill home past Burton.

On Wednesday night, Town keeper Adam Parkes made two early saves before the visitors grabbed the lead on 15 minutes when Archie Ferris’ header from an Ethan Vaughan cross squirmed past Farm keeper Seth Locke.

George Dowling equalised for the hosts after 25 minutes with a left-foot strike from distance and after Town’s Evander Grubb had been foiled by Locke on the line, George King fired Farm ahead on the half hour with a deflected effort from inside the box.

Grubb’s effort then hit the bar as the half ended with Town trailing, the woodwork going on to foil the visitors after the break.

Ferris curled a shot against the post while Grubb’s strike deflected on to the bar while Olly Sully and Ferris also came close. The Peacocks’ Owen Brain and Farm’s Dowling were both sent off on 79 minutes after a Brain challenge had lit the fuse before Taunton were awarded a penalty two minutes from time after Kyrese Morrison had been felled by Aron Robbins.

However, Ferris’ penalty rattled the crossbar on its way over and with a late header from Reece Hedges also glancing the bar Town remained out of luck.

The Peacocks are next in action on Monday evening (July 22) when they travel to Cribbs for another pre-season game followed by a visit to Clevedon Town 24 hours later.