Somerset Premier Cup quarter final
Taunton Town 3, Clevedon Town 1

MICHAEL Meaker did his chances of a recall to the Wales international squad, 20 years after his last full cap, no harm whatsoever on Tuesday night when his headed goal just short of the half hour mark put Taunton on the way to a Somerset Premier Cup semi-final at the expense of Western League Clevedon Town, writes Kerry Miller.

Town boss Leigh Robinson sensibly rested Matt Wright and Jordan Rogers leaving Meaker to start alongside Craig Veal and, at 45 years and 187 days the former QPR man may well be the oldest player ever to score a goal for Taunton Town.

It was his first for the club and a very rare appearance in what was an entertaining game in front of a decent crowd of 210 where the visitors played their part and for a while threatened to make a game of it before a stunning free-kick from Ross Staley (watch below) killed the tie.

Ed Palmer and Veal went close early on before at the other end James Fisher’s free-kick grazed the post, then when Pierce Mitchell bullied his way into the box his shot was pushed away by stand-in keeper Alex White as far as Josh Searle who hammered his shot against the woodwork.

Isaac Reid, who had a brief spell at Bridgwater Town last season, then went close, as did Palmer at the other end from 35 yards, but the pressure told when Searle’s corner bounced kindly for Meaker to nod home and spark celebrations all round.

Seven minutes later Owen Irish went on a run and his squared ball from the byline found Veal who bundled home the second.

Clevedon full back Archie Ferris then twice went close after the break before Town got a huge slice of luck, without which they could have been without keeper Lloyd Irish for some time. 

Young Fisher latched onto a through ball and Irish poleaxed him for a clear penalty, only for the offside flag to save the day.

They were not to be denied as man of the match Tom Stone fouled the lively Fisher and Reid tucked away the spot kick on the hour, but the fightback was short lived as Staley’s free-kick put Town through.

Town will be joined in the semi-finals by Keynsham Town who beat Paulton Rovers 1-0, Weston-super-Mare who eased past Bath City 3-0 and Brislington who thrashed Ashton and Backwell 4-0.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Josh Searle, Ross Staley, Owen Irish Ed Palmer, Tom Stone, Pierce Mitchell, Brett Trowbridge, Michael Meaker, Craig Veal, Charlie Melvin-Sparkes. Subs: Rhys Ford, Billy Greene, Kye Toogood.

Attendance: 210