Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West

Taunton Town 2, Wimborne Town 1

TAUNTON survived a second-half scare to hold on for a crucial victory against Wimborne which lifted them to fourth in the table, writes Paul Martin.

First-half goals from Matt Wright and Matt Buse were enough for the Peacocks, with Lloyd Irish the hero in the second period as he saved a Toby Holmes penalty to keep his side in front.

The home side began the game on the front foot and came close to opening the scoring on 11 minutes when Owen Irish got up highest from a corner but saw his header saved by Gerard Benfield.

Having scored twice from corners in Saturday’s win over Didcot, Taunton were looking dangerous again from set-pieces and it was from one that they opened the scoring.

Top scorer Matt Wright was the man to break the deadlock as he found some space in the area to head down into the corner for his 24th goal of a productive season.

Wimborne had drawn 2-2 at league leaders Hereford in their previous match but were not posing the dominant hosts any threat as the first half went on, with Taunton able to cope comfortably with the limited threat provided by the visitors.

It was the home side who looked the more likely throughout the first period and, after Jordan Rogers had come close on a couple of occasions, they eventually doubled their lead shortly before half-time in some style when Matt Buse found the bottom corner with a rasping effort from 25 yards.

The hosts went in search of the third goal after the break and Rogers’ frustrating night continued as he was denied twice by Benfield in the visiting goal.

Wright then spurned an excellent chance to grab his second when he failed to convert a low cross from close range, and the visitors soon made them pay when Toby Holmes got in behind the home defence and slotted past Lloyd Irish.

Just seven minutes later, Wimborne were gifted a glorious chance to draw level when the referee harshly adjudged that Matt Villis had handled the ball in the area.

Holmes stepped up confidently but fired a dreadful spot-kick straight down the middle and saw his effort saved by Lloyd Irish, who kept out the striker’s dismal effort and quickly pounced on the loose ball.

Buoyed by their let-off, Taunton looked to restore their two-goal advantage as Ollie Chamberlain twice came close, but the nerves remained as the Peacocks could not add to their precarious lead.

The visitors played some nice football in the closing stages and came close when Jamie Davidson's deflected free-kick was well saved by Irish, but Taunton were able to hold on for a vital victory which consolidated their place in the play-off places.

Taunton Town: L Irish, Mitchell, Searle (B Palmer), O Irish, Villis, Hoyle, Chamberlain, White, Wright (c), Rogers (Veal), Buse.