TAUNTON Town look to prolong their stay at the top of the Evo-Stik Southern League West table as they entertain Winchester City tomorrow (ko 3pm).

Tuesday night saw them beat Ashton & Backwell United 1-0 to move into the second round of the Somerset Premier Cup, of which they are the current holders.

The match saw the return of defenders Owen Irish, Chris McGrath and Ben Palmer after spells out injured, but they are far from guaranteed an instant return to Leigh Robinson’s first choice team.

That’s because the somewhat improvised back three of Ben Adelsbury, Brett Trowbridge and Shane White have thrived together, notably in the 3-2 win at previously unbeaten Swindon Supermarine last Saturday.

Robinson said: “We’ve taken an awful lot [from the Supermarine win] – we were excellent.

“We played our best 45 minutes of the season, then had a setback [conceding two goals], but showed great character to win the game.

“[New signing] Dan Sullivan was excellent, and as a team we were lively, creative and incisive.”

The Peacocks will look to carry that level of performance into this weekend’s game with Winchester at the Viridor Stadium, although their opponents have also enjoyed a fine start to the season, sitting fourth in the standings, and playing at home is no guarantee of success for Robinson’s team.

He said: “We’ve found playing at home harder than our away games this season.

“Teams have come to sit back and counter-attack us.

“Winchester can score goals, their striker [Patrick Cox] was prolific at Farnborough, so they have to be respected.

“But we can turn it on ourselves, and we’re more than capable of getting a result.”

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WELLINGTON AFC look to extend their FA Vase run when they entertain Wessex League side Downton tomorrow (ko 3pm).

They go into the first round proper tie without their captain, centre-back Tom Ellis, but for manager Clive Jones this represents an opportunity for others to step up.

“We’ve not had a good start to the season,” Jones said.

“So every time someone can’t play, someone else has the chance to come in, take the shirt and try to keep it.

“Tom’s obviously a very important player for us, but it gives someone else a chance.”

Since an 11-0 thrashing at Willand Rovers in September, Jones’ side have gone four games unbeaten (winning two and drawing two), but that does not seem to have brought an upsurge in player confidence.

“There’s not as much [confidence] as there should be,” said Jones.

“I keep the emphasis on playing our game and not just battling – we have to gel as a team.

“I want people to come watch us play football, not work hard.”

Having already picked up £1,275 in prize money from the Vase so far, there’s another £825 up for grabs on Saturday.

Jones added: “It’s an incentive to help the club, an opportunity to give something back for all the support they give us as a team.

“The staff and players will give our all to make the next round.”

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BISHOPS Lydeard have a tough task tomorrow, as they host Devizes Town, who are currently second in the table (ko 3pm).

Lydeard’s last outing was in the Somerset Premier Cup last Wednesday, when they lost 3-2 at home to Radstock Town, despite goals from Ben Hebditch and Charlie Wilson.

In terms of what lessons he took from that game, manager Brett Andrews said: “We have to concentrate after scoring.

“We got an 88th-minute equaliser, but then they scored the winner soon after the kick-off.

“Radstock are third in the league, so we showed we can compete with the top teams – we just need more consistency.”

After a weekend’s rest, Andrews wants another positive display on Saturday.

“We need to show our character, spirit and work ethic.

“The lads are inexperienced, but they’re learning all the time.”

Weekend fixtures

Saturday, October 21 (all ko 3pm):
Evo-Stik Southern League West - Taunton Town v Winchester City
FA Vase - Wellington AFC v Downton
Toolstation Western League First Division - Bishops Lydeard v Devizes Town
Somerset County League Premier Division - Staplegrove v Odd Down Reserves
Somerset County League Division 1 West - Yatton & Cleeve United v Minehead

Sunday, October 22 (ko 2pm):
Somerset County Women's League - Wellington Ladies v Bishops Lydeard Ladies Reserves