Evo-Stik South West

Bishops Cleeve 1, Taunton Town 3

TAUNTON Town returned to the top of Evo-Stik South West after an Omar Simpson double helped them to a routine 3-1 win at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday.

Simpson's brace either side of half-time combined with an own goal helped the Peacocks into a 3-0 lead, and a late reply for Cleeve failed to take the shine off an efficient away performance.

Leigh Robinson handed a debut to new signing Mark Preece at centre-back, but the early stages brought frustration for the visitors in their search to break the deadlock.

Ollie Chamberlain was inches away from providing the breakthrough when he hit the post, and it was left to recent arrival Simpson to end the stalemate as he helped Ben Adelsbury's shot into the net on 39 minutes.

Two quickfire goals early in the second half put the game to bed, with two of the new arrivals influential in the second as Simpson slotted home after Preece's header had been cleared off the line.

Town extended their lead further in somewhat fortuitous circumstances as a backpass was missed by the Cleeve goalkeeper and went in for an own goal, and Taunton comfortably closed out the victory despite a Joe Bates consolation late on.

Bristol Manor Farm's 2-1 defeat at Slimbridge ensured the Peacocks are now back at the summit ahead of Tuesday's home match against Yate (7.45pm).

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell, Ryan Brett, Ben Adelsbury (Arran Pugh), Mark Preece, Shane White, Ollie Chamberlain, Brett Trowbridge, Matt Wright (Les Afful), Omar Simpson, Ross Staley (Ben Palmer).