Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West
Taunton Town 3, Shortwood United 0

THREE goals in the last 20 minutes for Taunton Town saw off a stubborn Shortwood United side at the Viridor Stadium on Tuesday night, extending the Peacocks' unbeaten run to 11 games.

Alex Hoyle, Craig Veal and Ross Staley did the damage, helping their team to consolidate second spot in the league - the Peacocks are now five points ahead of third-placed Tiverton Town.

Centre-back Owen Irish came into the side in place of the injured Matt Villis - the only change from Saturday, with Jordan Rogers and Veal remaining up front in Matt Wright's absence.

An often stodgy first half saw Shortwood - who had a fine away record of 10 wins from 16 league games on the road going into this match - cope pretty comfortably with all-too-often all-too-predictable long balls from the hosts.

When the Peacocks did get it down to bring their wing-backs Pierce Mitchell and Staley into play, they looked more dangerous.

Staley spooned a shot into the arms of visiting keeper Josh Langley, and Mitchell fired an effort straight at the keeper, who stood up well to block.

With Shortwood offering next to nothing going forward themselves, it was goalless at the break, but clearly words were said in the home dressing room, as the Peacocks began the second period with much greater speed and intensity.

Staley's fierce drive was punched clear by Langley, and he and Mitchell both saw decent efforts clear the crossbar, before Veal had a volley blocked superbly by the keeper at point-blank range as Shortwood looked likely to crumble under the unrelenting pressure.

They didn't though, and could well have led on the hour mark, as they broke two against two, and Hayden Turner - having been forced wide by Lloyd Irish - saw his effort cleared off the line by Town skipper Brett Trowbridge.

Rogers and Adam Price saw efforts saved at either end, before the home team finally made the breakthrough on 70 minutes.

Shane White's corner caused an almighty scramble in front of the Shortwood goal, Owen Irish looked to have forced it in, but it deflected across the goalmouth for Hoyle to finish, in doing so claiming Taunton's 100th league goal of the season.

A minutes later it was 2-0, as the hosts attacked with pace once again and Veal was well placed to thump home from an Owen Irish ball in.

And if it wasn't game over already, it certainly was in the 83rd minute, as Taunton built down the right, Rogers crossed in low and Staley arrived at the far post to finish emphatically.

Those three goals in 13 minutes knocked the stuffing out of Shortwood, who battled well but could not stop the Peacocks once they found their groove, as the second-placed side continue their playoff push.

Their next match is away to Larkhall Athletic, currently 15th in the table, on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell (Josh Searle 84), Ross Staley (Ben Palmer 84), Owen Irish, Ed Palmer, Alex Hoyle, Shane White, Brett Trowbridge (c), Jordan Rogers, Craig Veal (Matt Buse 80), Ollie Chamberlain.
Man of the match: Ollie Chamberlain
Attendance: 339