TAUNTON Town won 5-1 at Wincanton in the Somerset Premier Cup last night, writes James Wright.

Manager Leigh Robinson rotated his squad, handing rare starts to Rodney Marsh, Aidan Chainey and Simon Ingram.

As in the preceding two league defeats against Bashley and Didcot, Taunton paid the price for missing early chances.

Steve Kingdon with a header and Marsh with a volley both failed to register, and Wincanton finished the half on top.

Lee Gale volleyed over a gaping goal when picked out unmarked at the back post, then Mike Taylor just failed to score against his old club with a glancing header from Andy Holmes’s missile throw. Wincanton broke the deadlock in first half injury time.

With the visitors reduced to ten men by an injury to Kingdon, Gale pounced on a slack defensive header and slotted the ball under Joe Perry.

Kingdon was unable to resume after the interval. His replacement Steve Murray was inches away from an immediate response.

The equaliser soon arrived though, Craig Herrod latching on to a loose clearance and smacking home a left-footer from almost 40 yards.

In on goal, Marsh had an excellent chance to put Taunton ahead, but pushed his effort wide. The returning striker, however, set up the second goal on the hour, turning his marker inside out before squaring to Murray to finish at the far post.

Marsh got on the scoresheet himself three minutes later, benefiting from the easiest of tap-ins having been set up by Chainey.

With a deft clip, Murray got the fourth six minutes from time.

Then substitute Brett Trowbridge completed the rout with a spectacular volley from Jamie Price’s cross to send the Peacocks through to a second round tie that will be contested in early November.

Taunton: Joe Perry, Jamie Price, Steve Kingdon (captain) (Steve Murray 45), Owen Irish, Ben Mammola, Ben Kirk, Ben Carter, Simon Ingram (Brett Trowbridge 80), Aidan Chainey, Rodney Marsh, Craig Herrod. Unused sub: Jamie Short. Referee: Richard Corp (Frome). Assistants: Richard Lawrence (Axminster), Alistair Francis (Chard). Attendance: 80.