Southern League Division 1 S&W
Taunton Town 2, Tiverton Town 0

TWO second-half left foot strikes from substitute Jordan Rogers brought Taunton their seventh league win on the bounce on Boxing Day and edged them ever nearer the play-off spots as the squad go into the second half of the season as the division’s team in form, writes Kerry Miller.

The fact that Tiverton ended the match with nine men had no impact on the result which was richly deserved as Town posed more problems up front and were already two goals up when Owen Howe and Levi Landricombe were both sent off by referee James Durkin in injury time.

Peacocks’ boss Leigh Robinson had a strong squad with Rogers and Craig Veal among those on the bench but they were almost on the back foot with eight minutes gone when a defensive mistake let in top scorer Landricombe, but Owen Irish bailed out his brother with a goal-line clearance.

Ollie Chamberlain and Brett Trowbridge were having plenty of the early possession until Tivvy’s Jamie Short escaped and beat Irish - but the whistle had already gone.

Chamberlain nodded wide and Rogers shot over either side of Craig Duff’s early exit after a midfield clash.

Landricombe showed how dangerous he could be with a drive just wide then Ed Palmer had two efforts at the other end as both sides looked for the opening goal.

Tivvy were giving away too many free-kicks near their own area but Palmer could not capitalise and half time came goalless.

Within 90 seconds of the restart Town were ahead when a throw in eventually reached Rogers wide left and his crisp drive flew past Joe Perry on a slight angle.

Landricombe then produced one of his own blockbusters which was inches over, before Tivvy should have levelled on the hour.

Howe found himself in space eight yards out but as he pulled the trigger Palmer somehow flew across and blocked his effort, which went a long way to clinching the points.

Former Town captain Jamie Price was having a battle with Matt Wright, who had a quiet game by his standards, but there was always a threat from Pierce Mitchell and when he went on a mazy run into the area 10 minutes later, his cross found Rogers who crashed home the second at the Town End.

Shane White blazed over and Price nodded just wide before the final few minutes, which saw Howe sent off for a second booking after an aerial clash with Matt Villis, and Landricombe join him in the showers after catching Lloyd Irish with a challenge.

The result kept up seventh-placed Town’s fine run, and they will look to extend it against away to Bideford on Monday (January 2), the match kicking off at 3pm.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ross Staley, Owen Irish, Ed Palmer, Matt Villlis, Shane White, Brett Trowbridge, Matt Wright, Craig Duff, Ollie Chamberlain. Sub used: Jordan Rogers.

Attendance 786.