Southern League Challenge Cup Final

Dates announced.

The dates for the two legs of the 2021/22 Pitching In Southern Football League Challenge Cup Final between Premier Division South club Taunton Town and Premier Division Central side Royston Town have been announced.

The first leg will be played at The Cygnet Health Care Stadium on Tuesday, March 22nd.

The second leg at Garden Walk will be played the following Tuesday, March 29th.

If the aggregate scores are level at the end of 90 minutes of the second leg, the team scoring the most goals in their away tie shall be declared the winner.

If the goals scored by each club in their away tie are equal and the aggregate scores are level, the tie will be decided by penalties.

Either Taunton or Royston will become the first winners of a competition initially won by Plymouth Argyle reserves back in 1933 since Stratford Town lifted the trophy by beating Cinderford Town 1-0 in 2019, due to the global pandemic forcing the cancellation of the last two season`s competition.

Taunton`s run began slowly with a Preliminary Round penalty shoot-out success against Division One South West Country rivals Bideford AFC after a 1-1 draw in North Devon.

However, round one saw the Peacocks secure a much more comprehensive win against Bideford`s close neighbours and league rivals Barnstaple Town – a Gethyn Hill brace helping the hosts to a 6-0 victory.

Round two saw Rob Dray`s side handed another home draw, this time against league rivals Truro City.

First half goals from Jacob Wannell, Jay Foulston and Jared Lewington saw the Peacocks through 3-1.

Up next was a short trip up the M5 to the Optima Stadium to take on another Premier Division South rival, Weston-super-Mare.

This was a hard-fought encounter in which the visitors edged 2-1 with Lewington and Nick Grimes sandwiching Prince Henry`s goal for the Seagulls.

Round four paired Taunton at home to promotion-chasing Division One South side Paulton Rovers who, despite taking an early 4th minute lead through David O`Hare, were blown away by the Peacocks with Dan Sullivan and Ollie Chamberlain`s first half goals being followed up by Ross Staley and Acey Mead efforts in the second period to run out comfortable 4-1 winners.

The semi-final draw sent Taunton to the Webbswood Stadium to take on a Swindon Supermarine side they had already achieved the double over in the league.

And the Peacocks made it a triple success against `Marine as a Toby Holmes brace in the 66th and 78th minutes saw them come from being behind to an 11th minute Kieran Phillips opener for the home side.

Royston also had to start at the preliminary round stage as they were drawn at home to Division One Central Hertfordshire neighbours Welwyn Garden City on September 14th.

And the Crows were made to fight for a 1-0 win, courtesy of a goal from Josh Williams 10 minutes from time.

Steve Castle`s side had another home draw in round one with league rivals Needham Market heading over from Suffolk.

And the Crows found themselves 2-0 down 8 minutes into the second half, only for an Adam Murray brace along with goals from Isaac Galliford and Brandon Adams secured a fine 4-2 comeback victory.

It was a Garden Walk tie in round two as well as another Suffolk outfit, Lowestoft Town, made the trip and second half goals from Matt Bateman with two and James Brighton sealed a 3-1 success for the hosts.

Their luck was in again in the draw for the third round as Division One Central side St Neots Town made the relatively short trip to Royston.

And the Saints also made it tough for Castle`s side as goals in the final 19 minutes from Adams and Tom Newman saw them home 2-1.

Round four send the Crows away for the first time in the competition as they travelled to the Elmbridge Xcel Sports Hub to take on Premier Division South side Walton Casuals.

But goals from Bateman after 43 and 82 minutes sealed a semi-final spot for Royston.

And the semi-final against league rivals Rushall Olympic produced a cracking tie that went all the way to a penalty shoot-out.

Royston raced into a 2-0 lead by the 17th minute with a Brandon Adams brace, only for the Pics to turn that round to lead 3-2 through Mitch Clarke on 58 minutes, Tyler Lyttle 7 minutes later and then a Danny Glover penalty in the 78th minute.

Adams completed his hat-trick when he kept his cool to convert an 82nd minute spot-kick and the Crows went on to triumph 3-1 in the shoot-out.