Taunton rise to the top after Weymouth lose

TAUNTON Town have opened up a two-point advantage at the top of the Southern League Premier Division South following a 2-1 away victory over Gosport Borough.

West Country rivals Salisbury are now second following their 4-2 home win over Hartley Wintney, while previous leaders Weymouth dropped back to third after a shock 2-1 defeat away to lowly Kings Langley, who had won only three of their previous 12 games.

However, the order could all change again tomorrow when Weymouth host Salisbury.

On Saturday, Taunton dominated the game against the Borough and looked like winning without conceding before the home side netted a consolation goal two minutes into injury-time.

Taunton went ahead in the 20th minute when ex-Hereford player Lewis Hall turned in a cross by Pierce Mitchell – his first goal since joining the Somerset club earlier this season.

Rob Dray’s side had more of the play in the first half and Dan Sullivan had a goal disallowed for offside just before the interval.

Gosport stopper Pat O’Flahery made two fine saves – both from efforts by Rocky Neal – early in the second half, and Ed Palmer was unfortunate when he hit a post for Taunton.

O’Flahery, however, could do nothing to prevent Sullivan finishing off a fine run with a clinical strike in the 59th minute.

Taunton continued to look the better side and were naturally disappointed to concede a goal right at the end when second-half substitute Ryan Pennery scored from a cross by Craig McAlister.

Salisbury, meanwhile, took a 26th-minute lead against Hartley Wintney when Lewis Benson scored with a fine run and shot.

Rowan Vine equalised for the visitors six minutes later, but the Whites were soon back ahead through Tom Whelan.

Luke Hopper extended the lead on 63 minutes, but former Luton and Queens Park Rangers striker Vine then grabbed a second.

However, Salisbury finally put the game to bed six minutes from time through Dan Fitchett.

At the bottom, Swindon Supermarine remain in the relegation zone following their 2-1 home reverse to Harrow Borough.

Matt Williams gave the Wiltshire side a fifth-minute lead, but goals from George Moore and Dylan Kearney turned things around by the half-time break.

Frome, meanwhile, are only two points better off than Supermarine after a 2-1 defeat at the Met Police.

The Somerset side levelled with a Josh Webb own goal, but two goals from Max Blackmore won it.