It’s another weekend of cup action for the Peacocks when they entertain Basingstoke Town in the 3rd Round Qualifying of the Isuzu FA Trophy tomorrow (5th October), ko 3.00pm.
Last weekend’s FA Cup success stretched Taunton’s unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions but to extend it into double figures they will have to contend with a Basingstoke team flying high in the Southern League Premier South. The Hampshire side boast the only unbeaten record in the division, beginning the season with three straight wins and then playing out four consecutive draws before beating Walton & Hersham 1-0 in their most recent fixture. They have suffered just the one defeat this season, a 3-1 home reverse to Sholing in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, meaning they will be all out to avoid another early cup exit tomorrow. The winners of tomorrow’s tie will earn £2,450 and if the scores are level after 90 minutes the tie will be decided by penalties.
The Peacocks welcome back Jayden Nielsen to the squad after he was cup-tied for the Amersham game while Archie Ferris is also available having served his three game ban and new loan signing Jack Matthews from Plymouth Argyle is also included. Forward Aysa Corrick though has a knock and is not risked but should be fit for next Saturday’s big FA Cup game with Maidenhead United while there are also injury concerns over Ollie Woodhouse and Jake Hodgson.
Town manager Richard Luffman said:” We know what to expect in Basingstoke, they are an aggressive front foot team that that will put us under severe pressure every time we get it from the back so we’re going to have to play a bit more direct on Saturday to combat that. We know it’s going to be a really difficult game against a good side but the supporters were fantastic last weekend and thy can play their part in helping us again tomorrow in what will hopefully be another fantastic afternoon in a cup competition. We can look ahead to an even bigger game at home to Maidenhead next weekend but for the moment full focus is on Basingstoke.”
Matchday Information
Turnstiles and Main Bar opens at 12 noon
Come and watch Crystal Palace v Liverpool 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 £14 for Adults, £11 for Concessions (state pensioners & Students with ID), £5 for Youth (6 -16 years), children aged under 6 are free with paying adult
Printed Match Programmes will be available to purchase tomorrow from the Club Shop.
Match commentary will be available on Peacocks Radio
We welcome our Match Mascot Beau Hills
Last meeting: the sides last met in the final Southern League game of the season in April 2019 in what was the final game at Basingstoke’s old Camrose Ground. An Andrew Neal penalty gave the Peacocks an interval lead which was doubled by a Ryan Brett goal early in the second half before Ben Wright reduced the arrears for the hosts.