THE start of the 2021/22 season brought forward not only the usual excitement and nerves that annually precede the new season, but also the return of fans after months of separation from their second homes.
There was just as much anticipation and excitement on the pitch too; familiar faces and fan favourites returning to the club, as well as exciting and talented players playing in front of the Town faithful for the very first time. After all of the build-up off the pitch, it was soon time for the squad to do their best to deliver on it.
After a packed pre-season which saw the likes of Swindon Town, Forest Green Rovers and Bristol Rovers visit the Oakfields Stadium, Rich Fey’s men faced a big challenge early in the Southern League season, facing many of the top sides in quick succession.
An opening day defeat to Willand and a slender 1-0 defeat to high-flying Totton meant that it was a stuttering start to the campaign. Town were also disappointingly knocked out in the preliminary rounds of the FA Cup, after a 1-0 defeat to Shepton Mallett.
Not letting the slow start faze them, Town got their first three points of their Southern League campaign in a 2-0 away win at Barnstaple in the very next game.
After a 3-0 loss to league leaders Frome, Rich Fey acquired the services of club legend Luke Ballinger. The talisman has played over 250 games for the club, scoring 133 times in that period – but he also provided a bounce which saw Town lose just once in their next 8 league games.
As well as sitting at the top of the goal scoring tally, Bally was also one of three Town players to score hat-tricks in the first half of the season, alongside Jake Mawford and Albie Hopkins. This was part of the impressive run of form that saw the side put on a spectacle for the Town faithful almost every time the stepped on the pitch; coming from 3-0 down to win 4-3 at home to Plymouth Parkway or scoring 5 second half goals away at Slimbridge in a masterclass of attacking football.
Unfortunately, club captain Greg Tindle was forced into retirement due to Injury after a 2-0 win over Highworth Town in late November. This run of form has brought some aspirations of a play-off push, encouraged by their last display of the year at top of the table Frome.
Town were denied what would have been a massive win away at Frome by a stoppage time equaliser, after leading for large periods of the game in front of a bumper crowd. But picking up a point will be great encouragement for Rich Fey as the squad proves they deserve to be in the mix for the play-off places.
The recent addition of striker Kyle Tooze from Bristol Manor Farm, and the return of another club legend in David Thompson will also bolster the squad and help kick the side on to maintain their solid campaign so far.
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