Evo-Stik Southern League West
Taunton Town 1, Yate Town 4

TAUNTON Town suffered their first league defeat of the season as Cameron Ebbutt's hat-trick stunned the hosts and gave Yate Town their first league victory this campaign.

Mark Preece equalised on the hour for the Peacocks, only for the visitors to profit from defensive mistakes and efficient counter-attacks to claim a deserved win, knocking the hosts off the top of the Evo-Stik Southern League West table as they did so.

Leigh Robinson's side started with Omar Simpson, Matt Wright and Les Afful in a front three, while new centre-back Preece made his home debut.

The hosts started superbly, with plenty of intensity and sharp passing, and nearly led inside five minutes as Wright clattered a header against the near post from Shane White's corner.

Simpson was denied by goalkeeper Harvey Rivers, and it seemed like a goal was inevitable - only for it to come at the other end.

After the Peacocks needlessly conceded a corner, Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist picked up the clearance and crossed to the far post, where Ebbutt was left unmarked to head home on 14 minutes.

The hosts were playing well, only for their attacks to founder on the away side's solid defence, and following an injury to Pierce Mitchell the rhythm dropped out of the game.

The Peacocks did improve towards the end of the half, but with no clear chances to speak of, they went into the interval one down.

Wright was denied by an exceptional save by the keeper, but on the hour the home side hauled themselves level - Preece heading home White's corner kick.

But no sooner were they level than they were behind again, as hesitation in defence - with James Difford making a nuisance of himself - allowed Ebbutt to grab his second.

The Peacocks threw everything forward, making them especially vulnerable to the counter-attack.

Ebbutt could have easily scored his third after five broke against two, but missed when in on goal, but he made no mistake after picking up Ryan Brett's poor back-pass and firing past Lloyd Irish on 79 minutes.

And the visitors made it safe with another counter-attack, as Ebbutt dinked the ball over for Leigh-Gilchrist to finish.

Bristol Manor Farm's 6-0 win over Bishops Cleeve sent them top of the table, with Taunton just ahead of Swindon Supermarine and Salisbury.