WINCHESTER City must bounce back from what manager Craig Davis described as “a rather sobering experience” when North Leigh visit in the Evo-Stik South West on Saturday (3pm).

On Tuesday the Citizens fell victim to the strutting Peacocks of Taunton Town who ruffled their feathers with a crushing 5-0 win at the Simplyhealth City Ground.

City were on the ropes as early as the second minute when Craig Veal fired the league champions in front, then another stunning strike from Matt Wright after 15 minutes made it 2-0 at the break.

Winchester rallied at the start of the second half but were architects of their own downfall as Veal and Wright (2) polished off an accomplished display by the visitors.

“Two of the best strikes you are likely to see put them 2-0 up,” said Davis.

“Second half we came out and looked much more like our old selves, but three calamitous goals – one a horrible mis-kick by Prycey (goalkeeper Ryan Pryce), then a slip from Josh (Harfield) and the other allowing three free headers in our six-yard box - and we were 5-0 down.”

To compound their woes Harfield got sent off for a last-ditch tackle when trying to atone for another defensive slip.

“I’m sorry we got rolled over like that. It hurt me and will have hurt the players as well,” said Davis.

“But one thing I must stress is that Taunton are a very good side. They will be even bigger champions than Hereford were last year, I believe, by the end of the season.

“We will regroup and try and recover ready for North Leigh.”

One positive for City was a debut for 17-year-old Harvey Clark and another good display from young Josh McCormick as sub.