TAUNTON Town’s battle-weary troops may well have welcomed the deluge which forced the postponement of Tuesday night’s Southern League game with Wimborne Town at the Viridor Stadium, writes Kerry Miller.

After the FA Cup heroics of the Tuesday before, Leigh Robinson’s men could have done without a trip to Salisbury last Saturday to face Steve Claridge in all his glory.

Claridge’s squad included Justin Bennett, the 33-year-old striker with 500 senior goals to his name, and he wasted no time in adding another three.

Bennett scored 200 times for the now-defunct Andover in three-and-a-half years, making him the third highest scorer in their history, before a move to Eastleigh and then Gosport Borough, where he netted 263 times to smash that club’s record.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, Town have another daunting trip to the wilds of Essex where they take on Chelmsford City, from the Conference South in the FA Trophy.

The Clarets are seventh in the table, having lost just three of 19 games so far, and drew 2-2 at Bath City last Saturday, two defensive mistakes costing them dearly.

Barring a replay, the Peacocks are on the road again on Tuesday as they amble down the A361 to take on Barnstaple Town, who are enjoying their first ever season in the division.

With Bridgwater Town and Wantage Town looking odds on to fill the bottom two, ‘Barum may well be in relaxation mode and will be looking to compete the double, having sneaked away with an injury-time winner earlier in the season.

Town have another home match on Saturday week when they entertain Evesham United before, the following Tuesday, when struggling Paulton Rovers visit the Viridor for a match which is always tasty.

Saturday, December 10, then sees the side in Bristol to play Mangotsfield United.