Evo-Stik South West

Taunton Town 4, Winchester City 1

TAUNTON Town maintained their lead at the top of the Evo-Stik South West league table thanks to a comfortable 4-1 home win over play-off hopefuls Winchester City.

Two goals in each half were enough for the Peacocks, with the strikes shared between four different players on a satisfying afternoon for the hosts.

Town began with the wind behind them in a howling gale, with Storm Brian making conditions difficult, but they got off to the perfect start with a goal after just five minutes.

Ross Staley's long throws were causing chaos in the wind early on, but that was no excuse for the dragging down of Peacocks skipper Matt Wright, which gave referee Sean Rothwell no option but to point to the spot.

Ben Adelsbury stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to open the scoring, and Taunton's dominance continued as the half wore on.

The marauding Pierce Mitchell came close with a skidding drive from outside the box, and the lead was eventually doubled after half an hour courtesy of a well-worked team goal.

Mitchell was again involved, as his cross found Ollie Chamberlain and the midfielder did the rest, taking the ball down nicely and side-footing home.

Winchester's main attacking impetus was coming from their right-back Dan Williamson, who was giving Staley a torrid time, and it was no surprise when one of his rampages led to the goal which halved the deficit prior to half-time.

The full-back's cross was on a plate for Oli Bailey, who headed home to give Taunton a wake-up call ahead of the second half.

Both sides knew the next goal would be pivotal after the break and, after a slow start, it was the hosts who provided it thanks to a slice of fortune.

Ryan Brett, whose shooting was wayward on an afternoon he did everything else well, sliced a long-range effort which landed perfectly for Staley, who converted on the rebound after his initial volley was well saved.

From then on it was a matter of how many the Peacocks would score, with lively home debutant Dan Sullivan firing narrowly wide and Staley seeing another effort saved.

The fourth soon arrived through Wright, who converted another Mitchell cross for the goal his performance deserved, and the skipper's effort proved to be the final goal despite further late efforts from Sullivan and Brett.

Mitchell picked up the man of the match award on a day when a case could have been made for several players, with Sullivan looking at home at his new level and Brett Trowbridge outstanding at centre-half.

There was also a welcome return to league action for fan favourite Owen Irish, whose introduction with five minutes to play brought one of the loudest cheers of the afternoon.

Second-placed Bristol Manor Farm also won, meaning Taunton still lead the way by three points ahead of Wednesday's trip to Slimbridge.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ross Staley (Ben Palmer), Shane White, Brett Trowbridge, Ben Adelsbury (Owen Irish), Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan, Omar Simpson (Les Afful)