ATS Southern have a secret weapon in their quest for the Division Eight title in the Sussex Sunday Football League.

The second-placed side's goalkeeper is a 6ft 10ins giant who also goes up front for corners.

Goalkeeper Nathan Taylor is so big he has to buy his own kit because the team's does not fit him.

Trainee copper Taylor, 25, has been scaring the life out of the opposition this season and he headed in a last-gasp equaliser for his side in their 3-3 draw against Belle Vue recently.

That was the first goal the keeper has scored while playing between the posts but he is hungry for more.

Taylor is an Aston Villa fan and he says the legendary Peter Schmeichel is his favourite player.

Schmeichel is partial to the odd foray into the opposition penalty area himself and the Dane scored his first Premiership goal in John Gregory's side's 3-2 defeat to Everton last month.

But although Taylor is a big fan of Schmeichel's, he certainly does not look up to him.

The ATS keeper said: "I rarely encounter two people the same height as me walking around Brighton, let alone on the footy pitch.

"I like Schmeichel. He is a personality and much more than a keeper. I am similar to him only in that if I am going out to get the ball the opposition players certainly know about it.

"I have bumped into one or two opposing players and they usually come off second best.

"I am quite vocal as well. I try to keep it constructive though, the team are a really great bunch.

"We had a slow start to the season but we are now unbeaten in out last five games."

Manager Mark Cox, 37, started the side five years ago and he is pleased Nathan is on his side for various reasons.

Mark said: " He can put a goal net up on his own. Normally you see a couple of fellas clambering on top of one another but he can do it by himself.

"When we played Belle Vue we were 3-2 down in injury time and Nathan asked if he could go up for a corner. I said yes and it was so funny to see their goalkeeper totally dwarfed standing next to him.

"He got his head to the corner but it was cleared for another corner. This time he didn't even jump, he just nodded it in the top corner.

"Then he strolled back to the halfway line with everyone chasing him. It will certainly be a future tactic.

"We'll send him up for set-pieces and the corner taker knows exactly where he has to put the ball. He couldn't fail to spot Nathan.

"Nathan is very good at shots and crosses. He doesn't even need to jump to collect the ball. When he says 'keepers', that's it, he has very safe hands.

"The opposition are certainly scared of him. It is very intimidating and it's hard for a player to score past him. They either have to be very clever or very lucky.

"I don't think he has ever been beaten at a one-on-one. He just terrifies the opposition forwards and it is hard for them to keep their eye on the ball when he is around.

"When you are warming up with him before a game it's hard just to find a spot where he can't reach.

"If he has one fault it is that he comes out too early and because of his height, he is not the most mobile of chaps.

"But he has a big heart and he loves his Sunday football."

ATS Southern take on Hoventus tomorrow. Hoventus... you have been warned.