Pitching In Southern League
Premier South
Taunton Town 1, Metropolitan Police 2

TAUNTON Town suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, as visitors Metropolitan Police continued their fine record against the Peacocks.

Met Police now have three wins from five Southern League meetings, after goals from Ben Shroll and Max Blackmore at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium.

Taunton - on a run of three wins going into the game - had started reasonably well, with Dan Sullivan seeing an effort saved and Gethyn Hill heading narrowly wide.

But it was the away side who broke the deadlock after 24 minutes, as an Oliver Knight corner was not fully cleared, and the second ball in was converted by Shroll.

Taunton defender Jake Wannell had an effort cleared off the line, then produced a goal-line clearance of his own from Knight, as chances came and went at both ends.

Met Police doubled their lead on the hour, as a cross found Blackmore, who fired home from 12 yards out.

The Peacocks pulled one back with a minute left to play - Owen Howe scoring a penalty after Toby Holmes was fouled - but there was to be no miraculous comeback.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Jamie Short (Lee Lucas 55), Jay Foulston, Ben Adelsbury, Nick Grimes (c), Jake Wannell, Joe Guest (Owen Howe 74), Ollie Chamberlain, Dan Sullivan, Gethyn Hill (Ross Staley 87), Toby Holmes. Subs not used: Dan McBeam, Jordan Copp.

Next up for Taunton is their FA Cup fourth round qualifying tie away to Tonbridge Angels, this coming Saturday (3pm).