Taunton Town 3, Wellington 0.

TAUNTON Town manager Paul West changed the side’s formation and five members of the starting line-up for Taunton’s second pre-season run-out, against Wellington on Tuesday night.

In a throw-back to the Russell Musker era, West deployed Darren Rice and Andy Butler as wing-backs flanking a back three of Dave Anthony, Owen Irish and James Clough.

Lewis Irish and Nick McCootie led the line, and it was the latter who capitalised on a slip by centre-back Scott Holland to put the home side into a 20th minute lead.

Set up by Shaun Anthony, Lewis Irish doubled the advantage on 37 minutes, and concluded the scoring just before the hour mark with the best goal of the game.

The impressive Rice picked out McCootie with an excellent cross-field pass. The forward then wrestled clear of Holland and crossed to the far post where Irish finished on the run.

Wellington manager Warren Patmore’s approach was equally experimental. The ex-Yeovil striker used five substitutes including Blackbrook players Alex Stephens and Pat Sherwood in the second half.

His side competed well in most departments except defence where they struggled to contain McCootie’s pace and persistence. Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Dave Anthony, James Clough, Lewis Irish (Jamie Short 78), Owen Irish, Andy Butler, Danny Lane (Alexis Piper 34), John Harris (captain), Nick McCootie (Twaine Plummer 71), Shaun Anthony, Darren Rice.

Wellington: Ryan Lewis, Craig Mawford (Pat Sherwood 66), Jack Adams, Martin White, Neil Vogwill (Marcus Vaughan 45), Scott Holland, Darren Stone (Luke Desave 45), Simon Ingram (captain), Matt Francis (Mark Burgess 45), Shane Kingston, Craig Herrod (Alex Stephens 66).

Referee: Philip Milton (Watchet).