Evo-Stik Southern League West

Winchester City 0, Taunton Town 5

TAUNTON Town captain Matt Wright struck a hat-trick as the Peacocks cruised past Winchester City to keep their season-long unbeaten away record intact.

Wright's strike partner Craig Veal chipped in with two as the champions ran riot in Hampshire, making short work of their mid-table hosts.

Taunton were missing the influential Dan Sullivan but were on the front foot from the start, opening the scoring on six minutes when Veal slotted home after a neat backheel from Exeter City loanee Joel Randall.

The visitors were two goals to the good inside 20 minutes when Wright netted his first of the evening, dispatching Ollie Chamberlain's knock down, and the two goalscorers then combined only for Veal's effort to be saved.

Taunton thought they had made it three on the stroke of half-time only for Ryan Brett's header to be ruled out for a foul, but the Peacocks were not to be denied after the break when Veal capitalised on a defensive howler to tap home.

Wright then took centre stage, scoring twice in six minutes to complete his hat-trick either side of the hour mark courtesy of a close-range finish on the rebound and a tap-in after unselfish work by Veal.

A bad night got worse for the hosts when Josh Harfield was sent off on 72 minutes for bringing down Veal as the last man, but Taunton settled for the five goals they had to keep their remarkable undefeated record going.

It is now 31 league games since Taunton have tasted defeat - next up is Saturday's home match with Bristol Manor Farm, after which Town will be presented with the league trophy.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Joel Randall, Nuno Felix, Shane White, Keith Emmerson, Toby Down, Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (Les Afful 65), Craig Veal (Michael Meaker 87), Matt Buse (Josh Nelmes 65)