TAUNTON Town seek to extend their unbeaten run to 12 games tomorrow, with a trip to mid-table Larkhall Athletic.

Two home wins in a week see them sitting pretty in the league standings, five points clear in second in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

On Tuesday night they welcomed Shortwood United to the Viridor Stadium, their opponents having beaten Tiverton Town last weekend, and the Peacocks came out with a 3-0 win.

Three goals in the last 20 minutes got the job done, as Alex Hoyle scored Town’s 100th league goal of the season, and Craig Veal and Ross Staley finished the visitors off.

A frustrating first half was followed by a much better second period, with Veal, Staley and Pierce Mitchell heavily involved – though Shortwood’s Hayden Turner saw an effort cleared off the line by Brett Trowbridge before the hosts’ three goals in 11 minutes.

Boss Leigh Robinson cited a couple of key factors in that improved second half, saying: “We just had a bit more urgency, pace and tempo – we had better quality in the final third, so could build sustained pressure.

“We also pushed Brett Trowbridge further on, so we won more second balls and that brought our wing-backs into it.”

The breakthrough came from Shane White’s 70th-minute corner, Owen Irish forcing it across the goal for Hoyle to bring up the Peacocks’ league century.

A minute later Irish was involved again, his ball into the box being finished emphatically by the in-form Veal, and on 81 minutes Jordan Rogers crossed for Staley to fire in.

On Saturday Town are away to Larkhall Athletic (ko 3pm), and with Rogers serving a ban for 10 yellow cards Robinson hopes to have Matt Wright (neck injury) back, while Craig Duff is nearing a return to match fitness – getting game time at Buckland Athletic in the Western League.

Larkhall, 15th in the table, suffered a 10-2 battering at the Viridor in January, so there’s some bruised pride on the line.

Robinson said: “They’re a good team at home, but we’re confident and have momentum.

“Since November 29 we’ve had a daunting fixture list, but have lost one out of 24 games.

“To do that on the back of our cup runs is a phenomenal effort by the players.

“We’re keen on finishing second, as we’ve been improving league position year on year [up to third last season], and to finish second to a strong Hereford side would be pleasing.”

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THIS Sunday the Viridor hosts a 'Kicking it for Kids' charity match in aid of the NSPCC (ko 2pm).

Hardly Athletic FC take on Queen’s Park Strangers, with tickets available from the Taunton or Bridgwater BrightHouse stores, or on the day (£2 for adults, 50p for children).

Other donations can be made at justgiving.com/Kick about4thekids.