Taunton Town FC were crowned Screwfix Direct League champions for the second time in two years back in 1999, with manager Russell Musker becoming the first Taunton manager to pull off a title double, writes Benjamin O'Brien.
The all-important three points needed to ensure the title were picked up in a hard-earned 4-2 win over Chippenham Town.
Afterwards, Musker was quick to praise both the players and the fans.
“We’ve had a great season, and the players have been magnificent,” Musker said.
"It was brilliant to win the championship at home.
"The lads wanted the cup to be presented at Taunton because the fans have been tremendous.”
Chippenham did not make it easy for Taunton despite being outplayed in the first half.
The Wiltshire side came back from 3-0 down to make it 3-2 before Ellis Laight netted an 89th-minute goal to complete his seventh hat-trick of the season.
Chippenham’s goals came in the 73rd and 79th minutes, and for a spell, there was fear they might upset the championship party.
And with defender Richard Thompson having earlier hit his own post, Taunton could count themselves fortunate to still be ahead.
But in the end, Taunton won it with their first-half display, which gave them a three-goal cushion at half-time, thanks to a goal by Anthony Lynch and two by Laight.
But it was a different story in the second half, particularly after Nick Tiley outpaced Derek Fowler to score Chippenham’s first goal with a cracking shot at pace.
And when Tony Bennett stole in between two defenders to head a second, it was game on.
Suddenly, the big boot became the order of the day for Taunton’s defenders, who didn’t want anything to do with the ball.
Chippenham had nothing to lose and looked a different side in the closing stages before Laight put the result beyond doubt and calmed a few nerves.
The championship trophy was presented afterwards to skipper Tom Kelly, who played a big part in Taunton’s success that season.
As well as being Taunton’s second league title in three years, the championship was the first of three successive titles under Musker.
Under his stewardship, the club also went on to lift the FA Carlsberg Vase in 2001 and its first Somerset Premier Cup in 2003.
Share