Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 S&W
Taunton Town 4, Paulton Rovers 1 

TAUNTON Town continue climbing the league table as Ben Palmer's first goal for the club, Matt Wright's brace and Jordan Rogers' late penalty earned a 4-1 home victory over Paulton Rovers. 

Town were 13th in the standings ahead of the match, but knew they would go 12th and keep closing the gap to the playoffs with a win over 18th-placed Paulton.

Boss Leigh Robinson rested his captain, Brett Trowbridge, for the match, meaning Wright - who scored the two goals which saw off Evesham United at the weekend - took the armband.

Within 30 seconds of the kick-off, new man Ben Palmer let fly from the edge of the area, his shot whizzing into the net.

The hosts continued to press, and after a number of half chances they scored their second on 20 minutes.

Craig Duff capitalised on a stray Paulton pass, setting up his skipper Wright to fire home.

Duff himself took aim from 20 yards, forcing a good save from the visiting keeper, before Kane Simpson was gifted a chance by Ed Palmer's short backpass, only for the Paulton man to blaze over.

That miss was punished almost immediately, Wright grabbing his second (and his fourth in two games) on the stroke of half time, giving the delighted hosts a 3-0 lead.

After the break, Wright and Craig Veal combined to create two further chances - Wright's header saved on the line after Veal's overhead kick set-up, and Veal's clipped effort from Wright's knockdown beating the keeper but also the post.

After Wright was replaced by Rogers, a momentary lapse by the home side allowed Paulton to grab a goal back on 70 minutes through Ryan Radford.

Town responded by pressing for a fourth goal, but Pierce Mitchell saw his effort hit the post after a mazy run, before Veal shot narrowly over.

Veal was involved in Town's fourth and final goal of the night, as he was brought down in the penalty area with the match in added on time.

Substitute Rogers tucked away the spot-kick to cap a supremely satisfying evening for the hosts, who have won three in a row to build momentum and advance towards the top half of the table.

Taunton: L. Irish, Mitchell, B. Palmer, O. Irish, E. Palmer, Hoyle, Staley (Trowbridge 46), White, Wright (c) (Rogers 67), Veal, Duff (Buse 75).

Att: 222.