TAUNTON Town and the passionate Peacocks fanbase are, no doubt, still hurting at missing out on promotion in dramatic fashion last Wednesday.

So good for so much of the season, and so close to claiming an improbable title triumph, Town just couldn’t quite raise themselves to deliver a knockout blow to Poole on the night.

Instead, it’s Metropolitan Police who have seen off Salisbury (3-2) and Poole (1-0) to make the ‘super’ play-off final, against Tonbridge Angels at Imber Court this Saturday.

Of course Taunton would love to be playing in National League South next season, but there are silver linings to remaining in the top flight of the Southern League for another year.

Assuming the squad stays largely intact – and most players are contracted through to the summer of 2020 – they will be looking to carry forward the momentum from this year’s near miss.

With a couple of additions over the summer, Rob Dray and co will be looking to mount another promotion bid from a position of strength – on and off the pitch.

Crowds have grown to a degree where 600 or 700 show up for most home games, and that can only be helped by the derby matches coming Taunton’s way next year.

Clearly, the make-up of next season’s Premier Division South is subject to change, with play-offs not yet complete and geographical considerations set to play a part.

But what we know is that Truro City and Weston-super-Mare will come in, having been relegated from National League South, while Blackfield & Langley and Yate Town have been promoted from Southern League Division 1 South.

Weston replace relegated Frome Town as a Somerset derby rival, while the influx of ex-Truro players to Taunton means that those games are likely to be fiercely-contested.

As will the matches with Poole – who will also target the title – and old Division 1 foes Salisbury, Swindon Supermarine and Wimborne Town.

Ah yes, and Tiverton Town. No love lost between those two, except when it comes to gate receipts.