Southern League Division One South & West

Taunton Town 2 North Leigh 2

TAUNTON surrendered a two-goal lead to in-form North Leigh in an eventful and exciting contest at the Viridor Stadium on Saturday, writes James Wright.

Manager Leigh Robinson named a side unchanged from the previous week's FA Cup win, and in the early stages the visitors, who arrived on a four game winning streak, were unable to handle Jordan Rogers, man of the match against Cinderford.

The Taunton hitman had already just missed with a lob direct from Lloyd Irish’s goal kick and then struck the woodwork from Ryan Batley’s cross before he rifled his side into an eighth minute lead, ripping an unstoppable left-foot shot inside Connor Thompson’s near post.

Rogers next pounced on a slip by Jon Steedman at the heart of the North Leigh defence before advancing to curl home his second from twenty yards out midway through the first half.

Former Taunton keeper Thompson then had to pull off an excellent tip-over save to deny Matt Buse a few seconds later.

The home side threatened to stretch the lead further before the interval, Pierce Mitchell haring down the right to fire just wide, Ollie Chamberlain forcing a good save out of Thompson and Matt Wright concluding the half by blasting over after a shot from Rogers had deflected to him.

However, amidst Town’s offensive North Leigh began to find their feet.

At the end of a slick passing move the ever-dangerous Eric Odhiambo flicked a shot just wide with keeper Lloyd Irish unsighted.

Irish then saved well from George Seacole before Wayne Turk was fouled as he just missed with a shot from twenty yards out, Matt Woodley curling the resultant free-kick wastefully over the bar.

Taunton's midfield went inexplicably AWOL after the interval.

The resurgent North Leigh were able to pass their way through it at will with Odhiambo down the left and Morgan Williams down the right posing a constant menace.

The inevitable breakthrough arrived just before the hour mark when Seacole converted skilfully from close range after good work by Williams.

Town responded through sub Craig Veal who scampered in from the right but fired straight at Thompson before a Rogers’ run across the edge of the box ended with an effort just the wrong side of the upright.

Williams bagged the equaliser thirteen minutes from time, heading home a deep Jon Else cross from the right.

A draw was undeniably the fairest result in this classic example of a game of two halves, but Taunton nonetheless should have pinched it at the death when Chamberlain missed a sitter, bundling a header wide after being set up by a glorious Rogers cross.

Taunton: Lloyd Irish, Pierce Mitchell (Josh Searle 65), Ryan Batley, Matt Villis, Ed Palmer, Owen Irish, Ollie Chamberlain, Brett Trowbridge (captain), Matt Wright (Craig Veal 63), Jordan Rogers, Matt Buse (Adam Kelly 76). Unused sub: Charlie Hitchings.

North Leigh: Connor Thompson, Michael Hopkins (Roger James 60), Jon Steedman (Dan James 45), Wayne Turk, Jon Else, Lance Williams, Eric Odhiambo, Elliott Osborne-Ricketts (captain), George Seacole, Morgan Williams (Richard Platt 82), Matt Woodley. Unused subs: Lewis White, Ben Taylor

Referee: Martin Underhay (Weymouth) 

Attendance: 254