Good Day For Peacocks!

Saturday turned out to be a good day for Evo-Stik League South West leaders Taunton Town, despite the awful weather!

The Peacocks extended their advantage at the top of the table to eight points – with games in hand – after they beat Didcot Town at The Viridor Stadium, whilst second-placed Salisbury FC were surprisingly beaten at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium by second-bottom Barnstaple Town.

Barnstaple hadn’t won in the league since beating bottom side Bishops Cleeve on October 14th, while in contract, the Whites were unbeaten in seven coming into the game.

But Billy Hopcroft`s goal just past the hour-mark eventually proved enough for Barum on `one of those days` for Steve Claridge`s side in front of a frustrated crowd of 601.

There were 423 at the Viridor to see the Peacocks take on fourth-placed Didcot Town.

Pierce Mitchell gave the hosts a 27th minute lead that Ollie Chamberlain doubled 11 minutes later.

And it was a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time as Dan Sullivan added a third.

The Railwaymen `won` the second half with a goal from George Reid 8 minutes from time.

The top two hold a seven-point advantage over third-placed Bristol Manor Farm, who were held to a 1-1 draw at home by another play-off contender, Swindon Supermarine.

And `Marine took the lead from the penalty spot after 20 minutes through Brad Hooper.

Manor Farm grabbed an equaliser just shy of the hour-mark through Dean Stamp.

Fifth-placed AFC Totton were surprised at Testwood Park by mid-table Kidlington, who ran out 3-1 winners.

Duran Martin was the Oxfordshire side`s hero on the day, bagging a brace in the 15th and 38th minutes – the second from the spot – with Tom Castle adding a third in the 72nd minute – Charlie Gunson`s consolation for the Stags not coming until 2 minutes into stoppage time.

Winchester City complete the play-off picture after they beat Cinderford Town to leap-frog Evesham United, who were beaten 2-1 at Yate Town.

Goals from Liam Gilbert after 13 minutes and Pat Cox on 63 minutes proved enough for Winchester, while Ben Brooks gave Yate an 18th minute lead which Ross Langworthy doubled 9 minutes later.

Matt Bennett replied 5 minutes after the break, but Evesham weren`t able to find a leveller, leaving Yate now only three points off a top six spot.

It`s really tight from Yate in eleventh upwards, with only five points separating the Bluebells from third-placed Brisol Manor Farm.

The two bottom sides both won on the same day for the first time as Bishops Cleeve triumphed for the first time away from home, beating fourth-bottom Slimbridge 2-1 at Thornhill Park.

Mike Ford had Cleeve in front from the 15th minute – a lead they held until Joe Bates eventually doubled it in the 86th minute.

Korey Pring reduced the deficit a minute from time, but there was no stopping Cleeve`s celebrations.

No such joy though for third-bottom Mangotsfield United, who suffered a 5-1 defeat at the Corinuim Stadium against Cirencester Town.

Ben Whitehead`s early 3rd minute goal for the hosts was cancelled out by Kane Simpson on 32 minutes for managerless Mangos.

But two goals in a minute shortly after the break from Whitehead again and Henry Spalding killed the visitors` off and Aidan Bennett and Spalding again added late goals to make it a nap hand for Ciren.

Source Steve Wintney / Pitchero Non League