ANDREW Neal scored twice on his first home appearance as Taunton Town beat Plymouth Argyle XI 5-0 in a pre-season friendly meeting at the Viridor Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Peacocks had a full squad at their disposal, with Lloyd Irish returning in goal and Neal, Matt Wright and Craig Veal chosen to start as a front three.

As for the away side, they looked a very young and somewhat fragile, if also technically adept, group of players - with Argyle's first team currently in the Netherlands.

The pattern of the game was set early on, with the visitors passing the ball neatly and the home side looking to get in behind with balls over the top or down the sides.

That tactic paid off with just three minutes played, as Ryan Brett drove forward, Neal crossed from the left and Wright volleyed his cross into the top corner.

There were some uncomfortable moments for Irish at the other end, notably when Taunton had to scramble clear after a mix-up at the back, but it was 2-0 on 16 minutes.

Neal got the goal his busy early play and near-relentless harassing of defenders merited, turning well and sending over a lofted effort which goalkeeper Harry Townsend was unable to tip over the top.

Then, on 23 minutes, the front three combined to devasting effect; Wright flicked on a goal-kick, Veal slipped it through and Neal coolly finished into the corner when one-on-one with the keeper.

There were a couple of chances for Plymouth late on in the half - Aron Goult rolling a shot wide and Kuaydi Lolos blazing over after Taunton were cut open - but the Peacocks took a three-goal lead into the break.

The fourth goal came just seven minutes into the second period, as Brett sent over a free-kick from the far right-hand side, and Ben Adelsbury headed home at the back post.

The visitors then managed to apply some more pressure, but the few dangerous moments they created were snuffed out by Keith Emmerson, who always seemed to be well positioned to deal with balls in - just as he was last season.

Substitutions gradually saw the rhythm seep out of the game, but still the Peacocks caused problems from set-pieces, and Brett and Dan Sullivan had shots saved.

And they wrapped it up with a late goal, their fifth coming from a lightning counter-attack - Dan Sullivan haring down the right, and his low cross laid off for fellow substitute Alpha Sow to lash into the net.

Next up for Taunton is a match with Exeter City, against at the Viridor Stadium, on Friday - which should prove a greater test as the Peacocks build up to the new season.

Taunton Town line-up: Lloyd Irish, Shane White (Pierce Mitchell), Nuno Felix, Ben Adelsbury, Keith Emmerson (Tom Stone), Josh Nelmes, Ollie Chamberlain (Matt Buse), Ryan Brett (Alpha Sow), Matt Wright (c) (Dan Sullivan), Andrew Neal (Triallist), Craig Veal (Triallist).