Leaders Taunton Produce Stunning Comeback

Evo-Stik League South West leaders Taunton Town have only lost once this season to date, but they came mighty close to making that two defeats as only a late, but terrific comeback salvaged a point from a 3-3 draw at the Viridor Stadium against fifth-bottom Shortwood United.

Shortwood stunned their hosts, racing into two-goal lead within the first half-hour.

Jordan Morris fired the visitors ahead in the 14th minute and Morris then pounced on a slip by Chris McGrath to set-up Joe White for an easy tap-in 14 minutes later.

And it looked bleak when Will Hawes put Shortwood 3-0 just 14 minutes from time.

But the Peacocks roared back, with a rather fortunate cross-cum-shot from Ross Staley reducing the deficit to two in the 78th minute.

But, as many of the 371 crowd were beginning to make their way to the exit gates, Dan Sullivan stabbed home from close range in the 89th minute to set up an exciting finale.

And in the 5th minute of stoppage time, Rich Thwaite was penalised for handball and sent-off, and Sullivan duly converted the penalty to pull Taunton back on level terms and earn an unlikely point.

Salisbury FC are now five points behind Taunton, but have played two more games.

They beat North Leigh 2-0 with goals at either end of the game at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium in front of a good crowd of 619.

Ollie Mehew gave the Whites the perfect start by putting them ahead from the spot in the very first minute.

But it wasn`t until 2 minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game that Stuart Green was able to make sure of Salisbury`s points.

Bristol Manor Farm are third, five points back, after winning 1-0 at home to mid-table Kidlington.

Troy Simpson was the goalscoring hero for Manor Farm, 9 minutes into the second half.

Only four points separate fourth-placed Evesham United from eleventh-placed Yate Town in the race for the play-offs.

And all-bar Swindon Supermarine and Wimborne Town in that group managed wins on Saturday.

A Matt Liddiard goal after 19 minutes eventually proved enough for Evesham at home to Paulton Rovers, while Didcot Town hit four without reply at the Loop Meadow against Cirencester Town in which Felipe Barcelos and George Reid both bagged braces, each with goals in either half.

Bideford are now sixth after inflicting a 5-0 hammering on Supermarine at the WebbsWood Stadium.

Ben Seymour proved to be the Devonians` hero with four of the goals in the 37th, 50th, 75th and 85th minutes – all after Sean Downing had given the visitors a 25th minute lead.

Winchester City saw off mid-table Larkhall Athletic 3-1 at home with goals from Jamie Barron after 9 and 48 minutes and one from Ollie Bailey just past the hour-mark – Matt Britton having equalised on 23 minutes.

AFC Totton are eighth after a 2-0 success at third-bottom Slimbridge, courtesy of Charlie Gunson after 75 minutes and then Tony Lee 2 minutes into stoppage time.

Wimborne dropped to tenth after losing 2-0 at Yate, who are now just a point behind the Magpies.

Kyle Tooze broke the deadlock 5 minutes into the second half and Ben Brooks sealed victory for the hosts just past the hour-mark.

Bottom side Bishops Cleeve shocked fourth-bottom Mangotsfield United by winning for only the second time this season to date – and first October 24th.

The Mitres won 4-0 at home, thanks to Ieuan Crowe after 27 minutes, Harrison Idles 2 minutes after the break, Joe Bates from the spot 5 minutes later and then Jack Watts on 62 minutes.

They are still six points adrift of second-bottom Barnstaple Town, however, despite Barum losing 2-1 at home to Cinderford Town, for whom Lewis Bamford after 10 minutes and then Jack Alderdice 5 minutes from time cancelled out Chris Ibbeson`s 49th minute effort for the Devon side.

Source Pitchero Non League / Steve Wintney