BGB League Division 1 (S&W): Taunton Town 1, AFC Hayes 4.

A MUCH-changed Taunton Town were somewhat unfortunate to be on the end of another heavy defeat last Saturday.

With centre-half Lee Bridson and striker Leon Taswell departed, and goalkeeper Simon Cooper beginning recuperation from surgery, Ian Jones was forced into wholesale changes for the visit of AFC Hayes.

Young brothers Lloyd and Owen Irish, at goalkeeper and centre-back respectively, were drafted into the side along with much travelled striker Twaine Plummer, signed from Radstock.

A debut, as a late sub for Plummer, was also handed to local midfielder-cum-left back Shaun Smith who has featured for Blackbrook, Galmington and Bishops Lydeard over the years.

Town made a fantastic start taking the lead in the third minute. Alex Pounde, himself due to start a 35 day ban for a Sunday football offence, expertly controlled a long ball and lashed a left foot shot into the roof of the net.

Lloyd Irish saved bravely at the feet of Kevin Chakaodza after five minutes.

Then Taunton suffered a major blow when influential midfielder Danny Lane came off injured, replaced by Shaun Anthony, returning from a spell in Saturday League football.

Taunton threatened only once more in the first half, Leon Simpson heading straight at the keeper from a long John Harris throw after 21 minutes.

Hayes were in the ascendancy, Lloyd Irish saving brilliantly from Ross Ahir, and Dean Clark curling a shot on to a post.

The visitors deservedly levelled on 51 minutes with a fierce left-foot drive by Gilbert Nuako, then went ahead after 58 minutes when Clark collected a pass from Sean James and curled an accurate shot into the right-hand corner.

Taunton had a glorious chance to equalise on 65 minutes when Harris fed a great ball over the top to Plummer who fired straight at James Harry.

Town laboured hard with Owen Irish particularly impressive and two goals in the final minute made the score-line very cruel.

With everyone pushed up in search of the equaliser, a long ball caught out the defence and Victor Osubu was able to push the ball past the stranded goalkeeper.

Then Clark buried a very harshly-awarded penalty with the final kick of the game.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Dave Anthony, Charlie Welch, Jamie Price (captain), Owen Irish, Sam Jones, Danny Lane (Shaun Anthony 13 mins), John Harris, Alex Pounde, Leon Simpson, Twaine Plummer (Shaun Smith 85). Unused subs: Ben Newby, Ian Jones. Att: 121.