County Gazette sports reporter Richard Browne casts his eye over the dilemma presenting itself to the Evo-Stik Southern League West league leaders...

A WIN over a playoff contender and an eight-point lead at the top of the table has Taunton Town and their supporters perfectly content.

Didcot Town were seen off 3-1 at the Viridor Stadium, and Salisbury contrived to lose 1-0 at home to strugglers Barnstaple Town.

Eight points clear with games in hand, it’s difficult to find something to complain about.

But it’s an obstacle to be overcome, as I focus on the left-wing issue.

Don’t worry, I won’t be talking about Jeremy Corbyn. (Apart from there.)

Rather, who will be playing left wing-back for the Peacocks from now until the end of the season?

Ross Staley is in Australia and Ben Palmer has left for Bideford – the latter starting for his new club in their 3-2 win at AFC Totton on Tuesday night.

It was a shame to see Palmer go, as a local player who always gave his all, but he wanted to be starting every week – and that was unlikely to happen.

The departures mean that a gap has opened up on the left of Town’s 3-5-2, with Shane White returning from suspension to play there against Didcot.

Manager Leigh Robinson explained: “We played Shane as [Didcot] have a good right winger [George Reid] who caused us problems last time we played them.

“Toby Down has done well for us at left centre-back and is still settling in.”

Robinson indicated that Down, White and new loan signing Joel Randall are likely to share the position as the season goes on.

Randall was on cup duty with Exeter City Under-18s on Saturday, and will be again this weekend, but he seems the best fit for the role as a natural wide player.

Time will tell of course, whether he will settle in just as Keith Emmerson has.

The centre-back made his debut last weekend and revelled in the tough conditions, barking out orders like he’d been there all season.

Emmerson, of course, is a 34-year-old in the Armed Forces and Randall just 18, but hopes are high for him.

The wing-backs are crucial to the Peacocks’ game – Pierce Mitchell scoring his seventh goal from the right flank last time out.

Robinson will no doubt field whichever player is best suited to the day’s opposition, but for me White offers more for the team centrally.

He’s versatile, all-action and handy on a set-piece, but not the most dynamic player in the Town squad.

Only time will tell whether one of the candidates can make the position their own.