TAUNTON Town's chief executive is confident his side could be the first team to beat Hereford in the league this season.

The Bulls have been unstoppable in Southern Football League Division One South & West, winning 23 out of their 26 games and already amassing 72 points.

But Taunton, who reached the first round of the FA Cup earlier this season, are in great form having won their last nine matches, which includes victories against Tiverton, Mangotsfield and Evesham.

"We fancy ourselves against anyone and we've already beaten teams two leagues above us," said Kevin Sturmey.

"We just missed out in our FA Cup replay against Barrow and we gave them two good games.

"After being whipped against Salisbury when we should have been 2-0 up, the players' have refocused and are in great form.

"We've beaten Mangotsfield 4-0 away and I think there is an inner-belief that we can beat anyone at the moment."

One Taunton player whom Hereford fans will be familiar with is Ross Staley.

The winger left Edgar Street in October to hook up with Taunton and he has scored four goals in his last four games for the Peacocks.

"He signed at a difficult time because we were still in the FA Cup and he was unavailable, but he has since settled in really well."

Another big crowd is expected at Edgar Street, but Taunton had an attendance of 2,297 for their FA Cup game against Barrow and Sturmey has no worries about whether his players can handle the pressure.

"They didn't freeze and should have beaten Barrow," he said.

"There is a professionalism within the squad and there are a lot of experienced players."

However, Sturmey does admit it would take a huge effort for anyone to catch Hereford.

"Hereford will have to slip up and, as long as they keep winning games, or even drawing, it makes it hard for anyone to catch them," he said.