It’s the most important game of the season so far for the Peacocks tomorrow (28th September) when they welcome Amersham Town to the Cygnet Health Care Stadium in the Emirates FA Cup 3rd Round Qualifying, ko 3.00pm.
Tuesday evening’s Southern League victory over Swindon Supermarine made it eight competitive games unbeaten for Taunton and three wins on the bounce, this impressive run of form giving them every confidence as they approach a game just 90 minutes away from the final qualifying round, not disregarding the £5625 prize money on offer for tomorrow’s winners. Amersham themselves though will be intent on causing a big upset to continue their cup journey which has already consisted of five matches.
This is Amersham’s first appearance in the FA Cup since 1969 and is the furthest they have ever progressed in the competition. Starting off in the Extra Preliminary Round with a 4-2 win at Western League Oldland Abbotonians, they have gone on to defeat Clevedon Town 4-1 at their Spratleys Meadow home before requiring a replay to overcome Athletic Newham 1-0 following a 3-3 away draw. In the previous round they secured a fine 3-2 win at higher level Burgess Hill Town with a winner seven minutes into stoppage time, but they will have to bridge an extra division’s gap to achieve a similar result tomorrow. The Magpies sit in sixth place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North, having lost just the one game played from six but with up to five games in hand on the sides above them, and with striker Jake Tabor having already netted 13 times this season, Amersham will travel west intent on causing a shock.
The Peacocks have had to negotiate the two rounds so far in the competition, beating Didcot Town 3-0 at home before a superb turnaround saw them oust Poole Town 3-2 in Dorset a fortnight ago. After Tuesday night’s game with Supermarine attracted the lowest gate for a league fixture since December 2021, Taunton manager Richard Luffman is urging the town’s football fans to get behind his team, saying:” Tomorrow is a massive opportunity for us to reach the 4th Qualifying Round and just one game away from the 1st Round Proper. This could be life changing for a club of our size and would be a fantastic way to bounce back from the adversity faced last year. To progress to the next round would be amazing but we need the town behind us massively, so I am hoping the fans turn out in large numbers to cheer us on.”
Despite Taunton being favourites, the Town boss is taking nothing for granted, continuing:” Whilst we know it’s a brilliant opportunity, we’ve still got a lot of work to do against a team who are going to make it difficult for us. We mustn’t forget the whole Taunton squad and backroom team changed over the summer, so we’re still work in progress, and we won’t take Amersham lightly but we’re in a good place at the moment and keen to kick on to hopefully get us in the hat for Monday’s draw.”
With Archie Ferris serving the final game of his three match ban, Jayden Nielsen and recent recruit Jay Malshanskyj both cup-tied and Charlie Dashfield going on loan to Cribbs, the Peacocks have drafted in Oscar Poole and Daniel Griffin from the Under 18 squad to bulk up numbers along with new signing Opi Edwards.
As well as the main attraction at 3.00pm, there will also be a bouncy castle, glitter and hair artist, and the Football Fun Factory in attendance so please bring the family to support your local club!
Matchday Information
Turnstiles and Main Bar opens at 12 noon
Come and watch Newcastle United v Manchester City in the clubhouse, ko 12.30pm
Match tickets are available to purchase in advance online
Admission is also payable by card or cash at the turnstile, priced at £12 for Adults, £8 for Concessions (state pensioners & Students with ID), £4 for Youth (6 -16 years), children aged under 6 are free with paying adult
Match commentary will be available on Peacocks Radio
We welcome our Match Mascots Tone Youth Under 8’s
Last meeting: this will be the first ever meeting between the sides.