Peacocks Take A Step Closer Claiming The Title

Taunton Town took a step closer to claiming the Evo-Stik League South West title after a 5-2 win over Larkhall Athletic at the Viridor Stadium which stretched their run to an amazing twenty-five games without defeat.

Craig Veal and Dan Sullivan both scored twice to help the Peacocks to vixtory in an entertaining game played in a good spirit with the visitors fully playing their part in front of a crowd of 555.

Sullivan`s brace came in the 2nd and 63rd minutes, while Veal`s two came in the 79th and 88th minutes, with Les Afful netting the other after 74 minutes.

John Elliott had the Larks level after 38 minutes and Mike Baker scored their other goal 12 minutes from time.

Taunton`s lead at the top is now thirteen points after second-placed Salisbury FC were held to a 2-2 draw at Bideford AFC, who are only three points off a play-off spot themselves.

They trailed to a 35th minute Lewis Benson goal before Ben Seymour levelled from the penalty spot a minute before half-time.

Benson`s second 15 minutes from time looked to have won it for Steve Claridge`s side, until Ryan Turner popped up with Biddy`s equaliser 3 minutes into stoppage time.

Who takes the rest of the play-off places looks likely to go to the wire with third-placed Wimborne Town down to eleventh-placed Winchester Town all still in with a decent shout.

Wimborne were 5-2 home winners over second-bottom Barnstaple Town, with Toby Holmes netting a hat-trick in the 25th, 33rd and 64th minutes.

Luke Burbidge and Ben Walker made it a nap hand in the second half, with Ollie Booth and George Nancekivell replying for Barum, who have a five-point advantage over bottom-markers Bishops Cleeve, who beat mid-table Kidlington, courtesy of a 49th minute Ben Hands effort at home.

Back in the top six race, Swindon Supermarine and Evesham United both won, but AFC Totton are now down in sixth place after losing 3-0 at the Corinium Stadium to a now tenth-placed Cirencester Town, for whom Ben Whitehead, Tom Ouldridge and Michael Pook were all on the mark in the second half.

Supermarine won 2-0 at Paulton Rovers, thanks to veteran defender Matt Coupe after 9 minutes and Aaron Woodley after 75 minutes, while Evesham saw off Winchester 1-0 at the Jubilee Stadium, courtesy of an Adam Mann effort 9 minutes into the second half.

Winchester are still only four points behind the top six, with Bristol Manor Farm, Didcot Town, Bideford and Cirencester in between them and the Stags in sixth.

Manor Farm will be disappointed to have dropped two home points in a 1-1 draw with Yate Town – both goals coming within a minute of each other midway through the second half – Lloyd Mills giving the hosts a brief lead and Matthew Tanner cancelling that out.

Didcot were emphatic 6-3 winners at third-bottom Slimbridge, who have now conceded 96 goals – 18 more than bottom side Bishops Cleeve.

Diddy raced into a 4-0 lead by half-time through George Reid with two, Morgan Williams and Adam Learoyd.

Henry Birkett and Joe Wilton reduced that by two early in the second half, but Felipe Barcelos and Callum McNish added two more for the Railwaymen before Marley Thomas scored the Swans` third 10 minutes from time.

Elsewhere, Mangotsfield United edged out Shortwood United by the odd goal in five at Cossham Street with Mike Bryant bagging a brace, Will Hawes and Alex Kibble levelling and then Jordan Williams winning it from the spot for the Mangoes after 64 minutes.

Source Pitchero Non League