BRIDGWATER Town striker Jack Taylor has turned down Southern League side Frome Town in order to focus on spearheading his side’s promotion bid.

Taylor has scored 13 goals in 12 appearances this season, including two in Saturday’s 5-1 win at Shepton Mallet, a record which attracted the attention of a Frome side who play two divisions higher than Bridgwater.

The frontman has decided to stay put, however, and told the Mercury: “It was quite an easy decision.

“We’ve got a great group of lads here and, being a local lad, I’ve always wanted to play for Bridgwater.

“If we keep playing our game I see no reason why we can’t go on and win the league.

“It’s always nice to score goals and this year it’s all about the players behind me - I just have to make sure I’m in the right place to finish off the chances.”

This is the first time Taylor has attracted Southern League interest, but he admitted it would mean more to play at that level while representing his hometown club.

“Bridgwater, in my opinion, are a Southern League club playing in the Western League,” he said.

“All the facilities are there and the spirit is second to none among players, staff and fans.”

In a further boost for Town, winger Jake Llewellyn has opted to stay put in light of interest from Street, who also play in the Southern League.

Robins player-manager Dave Pearse said: “Jack Taylor is Mr Bridgwater. He is a fans favourite and he’s banging in the goals.

“Jake has been different class this season too. Them both staying is great news.”

Pearse went on to hail his side’s performance in Saturday’s win, which took them back to the top of the table.

“Shepton kept the ball well so we had to be streetwise and organised, and we were.

“We had to weather a storm at 2-1 but we rode that really well and were clinical at the end to finish it off.”

Ian Bellinger opened the scoring for Town with an eighth-minute half volley, with Taylor putting them two up five minutes later.

Shepton halved the deficit after the break but Taylor’s second made the points safe before Harry Horton’s late double put icing on the cake.

Bellinger and Taylor also netted last Wednesday as Town came from behind to defeat Wells City 2-1 in the Somerset Premier Cup.

Pearse was pleased with the performance of the five reserve team players in the squad - one of them, Lewis Hembery, scored a hat-trick in the second string’s 6-0 cup win over Burnham United on Saturday.

This Saturday, Bridgwater Town host Roman Glass St George (3pm).