TAUNTON enjoyed a surprisingly stress-free afternoon yesterday as they picked up their first points in five visits to Sholing with a 2-0 Southern league victory, writes James Wright.

With captain Steve Kingdon restored to the left back berth, Town were in control from the start.

They took an early lead when the home defence was unable to deal with a ball over the top by Ben Carter, and Brett Trowbridge capitalised with a deft lob over Matt Brown.

Jamie Price was just off target with a header from a corner as the visitors continued to boss proceedings, but Sholing came back into the game as the interval approached.

Byron Mason, making a one-off appearance with his old team as new club Gosport were in FA Cup action, nodded a flag-kick just over the bar.

The midfielder then had an even better chance on the stroke of half-time but could only glance the ball straight into the arms of Lloyd Irish after a good link-up down the left between Barry Mason and Alex Baldacchino.

The home team, who took a year's sabbatical in the Wessex League last term which facilitated a victorious trip to Wembley in the FA Vase, had their best spell at the start of the second half.

Alex Sawyer spurned the clearest chance, getting behind the Taunton defence only to shoot lamely into the arms of Irish.

Nick Watts then picked out Barry Mason with a fantastic left-to-right cross-field ball. But Barry, one of three Mason brothers in the side, drilled his angled shot into the side netting.

On the whole Taunton's defence held firm and, though perhaps against the run of play, it was not undeserved that they doubled the lead just after the hour mark. Aidan Chainey chested the ball down to front runner Steve Murray who hooked a first time shot into the far corner of the net. Shane Kingston then blasted another good chance over the top shortly afterwards.

As before, Sholing continued to huff and puff with plenty of possession in Taunton's half but no real penetration. Only once, when substitute Craig Herrod was required to make a brilliant goal-line clearance from a Byron Mason header, were Town seriously threatened as they eased to a first victory over Sholing at the ninth attempt.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Jamie Price, Steve Kingdon (captain), Owen Irish, Ben Mammola, Ben Kirk, Aidan Chainey, Brett Trowbridge, Steve Murray, Shane Kingston (Craig Herrod 80), Ben Carter. Unused subs: Tom Hopkins, Joseph Dockings.

Sholing: Matt Brown, Jude Nwachukwu (Jess Walklin 76), Jack Smith, Terry Cuthbertson, Stuart Mott, Alex Sawyer, Barry Mason (captain), Byron Mason, Dan Mason (Sam Wilson 61), Alex Baldacchino (Nathan Lynch 78), Nick Watts. Unused subs: Taurean Manders, Kevin Brewster.

Referee: Ben Cobb (Poole).

Assistants: Brian Channing (Christchurch), Lewis Sandoe (Christchurch).

Attendance: 140