Top Two Share The Spoils

The bad weather didn`t prevent the big game in the Evo-Stik League South West between second-placed Salisbury FC and leaders Taunton Town taking place at the Ray Mac.

It was a relief for rusty Taunton, who hadn’t played since February 24th.

They showed that rustiness when Stuart Green put the Whites in front after less than 2 minutes.

But Shane White equalised 13 minutes later and Matty Wright gave the Peacocks the lead 3 minutes before the break.

In front of a crowd of 768 though, Steve Claridge`s side kept in the title race – just – with a second from Green after 65 minutes to leave them eight points behind the Somerset outfit.

It was a decent day for the play-off challengers with all0but Evesham United winning – and they lost to fellow contenders Swindon Supermarine 2-0 at the Webbswood Stadium.

Joe Selman after just 6 minutes and Brad Hooper a minute before the break were the `Marine marksmen.

Wimborne Town are third – a point above Supermarine – after winning 3-1 at Kidlington, thanks to a Toby Holmes hat-trick in the 7th, 44th and 56th minutes – Mark Janes having equalised after 28 minutes.

AFC Totton are sixth after also triumphing 3-1 at home to another of the contenders, Bristol Manor Farm, who have dropped to tenth, yet are only two points behind the Stags.

The Stags came back from being a 37th minute Troy Simpson goal down to win with three goals in 10 minutes midway through the half from Charlie Gunson, Tony Lee and Callum Chugg.

Winchester City are only a point behind Totton after beating second-bottom Slimbridge 3-0 at home, courtesy of Craig Davis after 6 minutes, a Henry Birkett own goal on 26 minuets and Pat Cox 12 minutes from time.

Didcot Town in eighth lost ground after losing by the odd goal in seven to improving Mangotsfield United, whose Kye Simpson scored a hat-trick in the 4th, 28th and 90th minutes – Jordan Williams adding the other just after the break, with Morgan Williams, Adam Learoyd and Seth Humphries always keeping the Railwaymen in the game.

In a really close division, Bideford AFC also trail AFC Totton by just two points after hammering Shortwood United 6-0 on their own patch!

Sean Downing was the Devonians destroyer in chief, scoring four goals – three in the second half after he had made it 1-0 at the break.

James Mayne and Kieran Squires scored the others.

Only six points separate sixth place from twelfth-placed Yate Town, although they shared a 3-3 draw with North Leugh, allowing Cirencester Town to go above them after a 2-0 win at third-bottom Barnstaple Town, thanks to Ben Whitehead after 38 minutes and Tom Anderson right on half-time.

Yate were behind in the first minute to a Todd Hathaway goal, but level within 3 minutes through Adam Price.

But Matt Grabe restored the visitors` lead just 4 minutes later and, after Stev Davies had levelled on 24 minutes, were back ahead just before the break with a goal from George Seacole.

Ross Langworthy levelled 7 minutes after the break.

Bottom-markers Bishops Cleeve pulled to within seven points of the safety mark with two games in hand after a surprise 2-0 win at Larkhall Athletic, courtesy of Ieuan Crowe after 26 minutes and Jack Watts after 63 minutes.

Source Pitchero Non League