IT’S been an exceptional week for Taunton Town and their supporters after the nightmare of defeat at Metropolitan Police at the end of September.

Not only did the Peacocks overcome Frome Town last Saturday (oh, and demolish St Albans City in the FA Cup), they also announced that Pierce Mitchell had signed a contract to keep him at the Viridor Stadium through to the end of the season.

With most of their squad now on contracts, Taunton should be able to fend off interest from National League teams (*cough* Truro *cough*) for their players... until the summer at least.

It’s also a show of faith in Mitchell, who has been a stalwart for Town since joining in 2016, with a string of reliable performances which belie his 22 years.

He’s had his injury problems of late, but when fit he is a near-certainty to start, showing exactly why with fine performances against Frome and St Albans.

He played a key role in his side’s first goal on Saturday, with a precise through ball for Craig Veal, and demonstrated his ever-willingness to bomb up the right-hand side, whether from full-back or right wing-back.

Mitchell notched up 43 appearances in all competitions last season and chipped in with eight goals (making him the side’s fifth top scorer) as Town won the league at a canter.

And, according to boss Rob Dray, he can still improve.

“I personally think there’s even more to come from him on a consistent level, which I have no doubt he will bring to us,” Dray told the club website.

“He is no doubt one of the best attacking full-backs in the league.”

Dray (and ex-manager Leigh Robinson) have switched between three at the back and four at the back this season, with Mitchell, Nuno Felix and Shane White used in varying combinations.

All three of them are versatile and capable of good deliveries from out wide, but the extra attacking impetus which Mitchell provides could prove a key asset for the Peacocks as they strive for the consistency required to stay in the Premier Division South’s leading pack this season.