Evo-Stik Southern League West
Cinderford Town 2, Taunton Town 3

TAUNTON Town completed the entire 2017/18 season unbeaten away from home, as they survived a second-half fightback from hosts Cinderford Town on Saturday.

Two goals from Matt Wright and another from Dan Sullivan gave the visitors the points, meaning that they are the only side in English Non-League football (Steps 1-6) not to have lost on their travels this campaign.

The Peacocks made just one change from Tuesday night's 9-0 demolition of Slimbridge, Keith Emmerson replacing Ollie Chamberlain, and they began the game well.

Ryan Brett clipped the bar from 20 yards out, and it was his corner which provided the opener - Wright heading in at the far post on 21 minutes.

Toby Down saw a shot well saved by Cameron Clarke on the half-hour, and on 40 minutes the visitors doubled their lead, as Joel Randall broke from his own half and found Wright, who squared the ball for Sullivan to tap in.

Taunton led 2-0 at half time and almost made it three, only for Lorcan Sheehan to clear Sullivan's effort off the line.

But on 56 minutes the home side pulled one back, as Lloyd Irish was penalised for bringing down an opponent, and although the initial red card was downgraded to a yellow, Dan McDonald scored the spot-kick.

The Peacocks restored their two-goal advantage in the 67th minute, when Brett found Randall, who again passed to Wright, and this time the skipper found the net himself.

Sullivan then passed up a one-on-one opportunity as he shot over, and this was punished on 74 minutes when Richard Greaves headed in from Joe Hunt's cross at the other end to make it 3-2.

Nonetheless, the visitors held on to their lead - thanks in part to Shane White's goal-line clearance - and could even have extended it again, as substitute Craig Veal pounced on a defensive error only to be denied brilliantly by Clarke.

It mattered not, as Taunton won 3-2 to complete their unbeaten season away from home, with their unbeaten league run up to 34 matches.

They finish the Evo-Stik Southern League West as runaway champions, with 103 points (19 more than second-placed Salisbury) and 107 goals scored (goal difference of +66).

Their final fixture of the season is next Saturday (May 5, ko 3pm), at home to Beaconsfield Town, who won the East division, for the Evo-Stik Southern League Championship Match.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Shane White, Joel Randall, Ben Adelsbury, Keith Emmerson, Toby Down, Josh Nelmes, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan (Craig Veal 78), Matt Buse.
Substitutes not used: Les Afful, Nuno Felix, Ollie Chamberlain, Alpha Sow.