Evo-Stik Southern League
Premier Division South
Swindon Supermarine 0, Taunton Town 1

BEN Adelsbury's special strike proved the difference as Taunton Town took all three points away from a hard-fought encounter at Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.

The visitors included their two most recent signings in the line-up, debutant Lewis Hall and the returning Ed Palmer taking their places in defence.

After a league-wide minute's silence for the Leicester City helicopter tragedy, the match got underway in windy conditions.

The first shot in anger took 18 minutes to arrive, and came from Matt Buse for the visitors, but his effort curled wide of goal.

Buse had another chance amid a goalmouth scramble, but failed to find the finish, before Lloyd Irish did well to deny Joe Selman as Supermarine counter-attacked.

Yet it was a game of few real opportunities - until the away side took the lead in spectacular fashion.

Adelsbury strode forward and took aim from 25 yards, smashing the ball into the top corner five minutes before half time, a lead that was maintained into the interval.

The hosts came out determined to level things up, dominating play but being frustrated by the Peacocks defence.

Ryan Campbell volleyed into the side-netting and then over the top, before striker Conor McDonagh got in behind the Taunton backline, but his angled shot was blocked.

At the other end Shane White had a presentable chance to double the visitors' lead, but from within the six-yard box he headed over the top from a 76th-minute corner.

Supermarine’s last chance came in stoppage time, Dan Williamson having a go from long range, but Irish tipped his shot over the top.

The corner was cleared, and the Peacocks held on for all three points, which take them up to third in the Premier Division South table.

Next up for Taunton is a Somerset Premier Cup tie away to Wincanton Town on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Lewis Hall, Ben Adelsbury, Ed Palmer, Shane White, Matt Buse, Ollie Chamberlain, Ryan Brett, Matt Wright (c), Dan Sullivan (Craig Veal 84). Subs not used: Josh Nelmes, Brett Trowbridge, Douglas Camilo, Harry Gardner.