British Gas Business League Division 1 (S&W): Didcot Town 5, Taunton Town 0.

TAUNTON Town included two new signings in their line-up but they could not prevent the team sliding to a heavy defeat at Didcot Town last Saturday.

Taunton-based striker Leon Taswell and forward Leon Simpson both went straight into the starting 11 after signing last week from Ilfracombe and Odd Down respectively.

But the duo experienced miserable debuts as Taunton’s poor league form hit a new low with their heaviest defeat of the season.

The Peacocks trailed 2-0 at the break and then saw defender Scott Thomas sent off. Didcot took full advantage by scoring three more times.

Player-manager Ian Jones, deputising for injured keeper Simon Cooper, made a number of fine saves throughout the afternoon but still picked the ball out of his net five times.

However, Danny Lane spurned a decent opportunity to give Taunton the lead before the hosts took the lead on 16 minutes.

Neville Roach charged down a clearance from Thomas and then fired home past Jones.

Taunton’s keeper was called on to save from Michael Bartley soon after, and then a shot from Simeon Howell cannoned against the crossbar.

The second goal eventually arrived two minutes before the break when Paul Powell was set up by Bartley before firing in off the bar.

Taunton’s challenge was all but ended after the break when Thomas received a second booking for a foul on Bartley.

The third goal soon followed after 67 minutes when Roach chipped Jones from the edge of the box. And the same player completed his hat-trick two minutes later, lifting the ball over Jones after being set clear.

Taunton substitute Rob Sage, brought on for Taswell, somehow failed to reduce the deficit from close range before Didcot completed the scoring a minute from time. And it was a cracking effort from Elliott Osborne-Ricketts who powered a left-footed effort inside the far post from the edge of the area.

Taunton Town: Ian Jones, Jason Burt (Ben Newby 72 mins), Charlie Welch, Jamie Price (capt), Lee Bridson, Scott Thomas, Danny Lane, Leon Simpson, Alex Pounde, Leon Taswell (Rob Sage 72), Sam Jones. Subs not used: Paul Short. Att: 226.