TAUNTON Town manager Paul West believes the team’s enthusiasm has led to an increase in attendances at Wordsworth Drive.

Average crowds are up on last season and have risen with every game. Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Yate Town in the Zamaretto League was watched by 225 – the second highest in the division.

While the appointment of Taunton’s former FA Vase winning skipper as boss has undoubtedly helped boost attendances, West himself believes fans appreciate the team’s hard work.

He said: “There’s a real buzz around the place at the moment.

“The crowd can see what the players are trying to achieve and supporters will always get behind a hard-working team.

“The players are enjoying their football and that rubs off on the fans.

“There’s a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes which all has a knock-on effect and shows things are going in the right direction.

“I’m hoping for another good crowd for Saturday’s FA Cup game at home to Merthyr Tydfil.”

West was disappointed Taunton’s three-match winning run ended against Yate, and felt they deserved a draw.

He said: “There was nothing between the teams and there was barely a chance all game. We switched off for a moment at a corner and got punished.”

However, West remains upbeat after picking up seven points from their opening five games.

He said: “The most pleasing thing for me is that we’ve matched every side we’ve played. It shows we have got enough to compete at this level.

“We’re just lacking consistency. We need to produce our best for longer in every game we play.”

Taunton take a break from league action on Saturday when they play Zamaretto Premier Division outfit Merthyr in the FA Cup first qualifying round.

Taunton welcome the three Irish brothers – keeper Lloyd, defender Owen and striker Lewis – to the squad along with defender Dave Anthony. Nick McCootie serves the final game of a suspension, while Ben Newby starts a three-game ban.

Saturday’s match carries £2,500 prizemoney.

WELLINGTON play their first home game of the season on Saturday when they take on Corsham in the Toolstation League Premier Division. Next Wednesday, Wellington are home to Bideford (7.30pm).

YEOVIL Town boss Terry Skiverton is bringing a full-strength League One side to Wellington on October 28 for a match to officially mark the club’s new £30,000 floodlights, which have been erected this week.

MINEHEAD manager Gary Hillard is hoping his batch of new signings will help the side pick up their elusive first victory.

The Blues have drawn four and lost four so far in Division One of the Toolstation League, but Hillard believes they are improving.

Centre back Nelson Monohon and goalkeeper Ben Lewis impressed on their debuts in the 2-2 draw with Keynsham on Saturday.

They join fellow ex-Bristol Rovers academy players Nuno Felix, who netted a superb equaliser in that game, and Naby Diallo in the squad.

Hillard said: “The win hasn’t come yet but we are going in the right direction.

“The games we have lost have all been by the odd goal and we really should have beaten Keynsham.

“It was my fault that we didn’t. We were winning with 20 minutes left but I took off a striker and changed the shape of the side.

“They went on to score twice and, although we got back into it and equalised, we were disappointed not to win.

“Hopefully we aren’t far away and the new signings will certainly help.

“They are all very good young players and have done very well in the games they have played.”

Minehead are back in action on Saturday when entertain Odd Down in the league. The Bath side have had a good start to the season, having picked up 13 points from their opening six games.