Evo-Stik Southern League
Premier Division South
Taunton Town 3, Frome Town 0

TAUNTON Town returned to winning ways after last weekend's defeat at Metropolitan Police, as two Andrew Neal goals helped them to a routine victory over Frome.

Ollie Chamberlain also scored for the hosts, who had Ryan Brett sent off late on.

AS IT HAPPENED: Taunton Town 3-0 Frome Town

With captain Matt Wright suspended, interim Peacocks boss Rob Dray brought Brett Trowbridge into the side to play sweeper, while there were also starts for Pierce Mitchell - who signed a contract with the club this week - and Craig Veal.

The hosts made a very sluggish start, struggling to hold on to the ball, while Frome enjoyed some joy down the right with Connor Roberts and Dan Demkiv.

There were few chances created, the best of them falling to Robins striker Ryan Bath, who twice failed to make the required contact.

When the home side did show a moment of quality, it brought the opening goal on 23 minutes - Mitchell finding Veal with a needle-sharp through ball, and Veal's cross striking a hand in the box.

Referee James Durkin pointed to the spot, and Neal coolly rolled the penalty home, sending keeper James Carey the wrong way.

The hosts were fortunate to keep that lead at half time, though, as Demkiv whipped in a cross which Bath stretched to reach, the bar crashing off the underside of the bar and away.

There was improvement from Taunton after the break, with Neal's flick sending Veal away, but Carey was out quickly to block the shot.

Frome were continuing to press for an equaliser, so it came as a relief when the Peacocks scored a second in the 65th minute.

Brett's corner was headed back by Ben Adelsbury, and Chamberlain did the honours from a couple of yards out.

As the match drifted towards its conclusion, Brett collected a completely unnecessary red card, having lunged in after a late tackle on Chamberlain.

That was a second red in two weeks for Taunton, and he will be suspended for next weekend.

But the win was wrapped up in injury time as Neal - who had earlier wasted a one-on-one chance - made no mistake at the second attempt, racing away to loft the ball over Carey and into the net.

Next up for the Peacocks is a home match with St Albans City in FA Cup third round qualifying, this Wednesday (ko 7.45pm).

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Shane White (c) (Nuno Felix 50), Ben Adelsbury, Brett Trowbridge, Josh Nelmes, Matt Buse (Keith Emmerson 77), Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Craig Veal (Douglas Camilo 87), Andrew Neal.
Subs not used: Dan Sullivan, Mike Davies.
Attendance: 587