BetVictor Southern League
Challenge Cup third round
Paulton Rovers 6, Taunton Town 3

TAUNTON Town became the latest Premier South team to fall victim to Paulton Rovers this season, despite Jamie Short's second-half hat-trick on Tuesday night.

Division 1 South side Paulton had already knocked out Salisbury (4-0) and Weston-super-Mare (12-1), and three goals in each half saw them dispatch a young Peacocks side here.

Short, Lloyd Irish, Jamie Price, Ollie Chamberlain, Dan Sullivan and Owen Windsor were the only regulars in the starting line-up, although there was a return for club legend Owen Irish - who has returned after departing in 2017 - in defence.

That rearguard was breached within seven minutes, however, as Marcus Day slotted the home side into an early lead.

Price headed wide from a corner at the other end, but it was 2-0 on 19 minutes; Lloyd Irish saved from Ben Withey, only for the subsequent corner to deflect in off the goalkeeper.

Day had his second a couple of minutes before half-time, scoring from the edge of the box, and it remained 3-0 at the break after Price had an effort cleared off the line.

Dave Sims-Burgess made it 4-0 in the 54th minute, scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down by keeper Irish, but Taunton were on the board two minutes later - Short breaking down the left and firing into the net.

The hosts restored their four-goal advantage just before the hour mark, ex-Taunton man Charlie Hitchings knocking the ball in after a goalmouth scramble, and Craig Allan made it 6-1 on 68 minutes, on the rebound after an initial save from Irish.

Two goals in the last 10 minutes, both from Short as he completed a hat-trick, made the scoreline look a little more respectable from a Peacocks' point of view, but the game was long gone and it's Paulton who advance to the quarter-finals.

Taunton Town: Lloyd Irish (c), Harry Purser, Harry Scott, Noah Kruszynski, Owen Irish, Jamie Price, Ollie Chamberlain, Callum Watts (James Cottrill 15), Jamie Short, Dan Sullivan, Owen Windsor. Subs not used: Lewis Hall, Matt Villis.

It's back to league action for Taunton this coming Saturday, and a trip to Yate Town (3pm).