Southern League East/West play-off

Taunton Town 4, Beaconsfield Town 2

TAUNTON Town ended a memorable season in fitting fashion by defeating Beaconsfield 4-2 to become Southern League 'champion of champions'.

In a match which pitted the title winners from the East and West divisions against each other, the hosts came from 2-1 down to secure yet more silverware at the end of a superb campaign.

The game kicked off 40 minutes late due to the visitors getting stuck in bank holiday traffic, and they were initially slow to get going as Taunton controlled the early stages.

Dan Sullivan headed wide and saw a shot blocked before later sliding in Ryan Brett, who opened the scoring with a firm drive across the goalkeeper on 11 minutes.

Sullivan was then denied by Nick Hannam, who also kept out Shane White's free header, but Beaconsfield were growing into the game and levelled just after the half hour mark when Scott Cousins curled a peach of a free-kick over the wall and in off the post from 25 yards.

Three minutes later Beaconsfield had successfully turned the game on its head, as substitute Aaron Minhas - who had rattled the crossbar from 30 yards out moments earlier - tapped home from close ranger after Lloyd Irish kept out Lee Barney's effort.

It was a goal of Taunton's own making, with Joel Randall and Ben Adelsbury leaving the ball to each other when either could have cleared in a piece of uncharacteristically sloppy defending in the build-up, and the rest of the first half was similarly under-par for the hosts.

The hosts emerged refreshed after the interval and were soon on level terms when a swift break ended with another assist for Sullivan, who this time laid it on a plate for Joel Randall to slot home in his final appearance of a successful loan spell from Exeter City.

Further chances followed as Matt Wright headed over, Matt Buse fired high and wide when well placed and Nuno Felix spooned a free header over from six yards when he really should have done better.

Substitute Craig Veal was instantly involved, seeing a one-on-one well saved by Hamann before being brought down in the box - Wright drilled the penalty down the middle to put the Peacocks 3-2 up.

Sullivan got the goal his performance deserved three minutes later when a neat swivel and volley was deflected into the top corner to make the result safe.

The frontman was booked for his celebration, which involved sporting a Spiderman mask pulled out from his shorts, but that did little to dampen yet another party atmosphere at the Viridor Stadium.

The result marks the end of an excellent campaign for Taunton, who have lost just once in the league and gone unbeaten on the road in any competition all season.

Sterner tests lie in wait next season but, on today's evidence at least, Taunton are well placed to negotiate them.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Joel Randall (Craig Veal 72), Nuno Felix, Ben Adelsbury, Keith Emmerson (Toby Down 82), Shane White, Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Matt Buse.

Subs not used: Les Afful, Michael Meaker.