Somerset Premier Cup final

Taunton Town 4, Weston-super-Mare 2

TAUNTON Town ended a memorable campaign by adding a trophy to the cabinet after defeating Weston-super-Mare 4-2 in the final of the Somerset Premier Cup.

First-half braces from Owen Irish and Matt Buse put the result beyond doubt before the interval, though Jordan Morris and Jamie Laird set up an anxious finale as they netted for Weston late in the second half.

The game got off to a quiet start, and there were no real chances to speak of until Irish gave the Peacocks the lead with a trademark back post header from a corner on 13 minutes.

Just six minutes later, Taunton doubled their lead with a carbon copy of the first goal as Irish again rose highest at the back post to thump a bullet header past Liam Kingston.

It was 3-0 before the half hour mark as Weston’s defence capitulated, with a poor clearing header giving Matt Buse a simple opportunity from eight yards out which the midfielder couldn’t miss.

The National League South side should have got themselves back into it when Brad Ash sent a free header over, but it was Taunton who got the fourth goal before half-time with another goal of Weston's own making.

Buse was again the beneficiary, intercepting Jacob Cane’s quickly taken free-kick midway inside the Weston half before rounding Kingston and slotting into the empty net.

Taunton were not content with sitting on their lead after the break and went in search of a fifth goal, which should have arrived when Owen Irish passed up a glorious chance to complete his hat-trick as he volleyed over unmarked from eight yards out.

Lloyd Irish was then at fault for the goal that gave Weston hope, as the goalkeeper let Jordan Morris' cross shot slip through his legs with 20 minutes to play.

Buoyed by their lifeline, the National League South side were within inches of reducing the deficit further just moments later as Rollin Menayese crashed a header off the underside of the bar before Taunton cleared the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

It was not long before Peacocks nerves were twitching, however, as Jamie Laird took advantage of some slack defending to loop home a header and raise hopes of a remarkable comeback.

Weston continued to push, but Taunton closed out a deserved victory to seal their fifth Somerset Premier Cup triumph and end a long campaign on a high.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Josh Searle, Owen Irish, Matt Villis, Tom Stone, Shane White, Brett Trowbridge, Matt Wright, Ollie Chamberlain, Matt Buse.