It’s top versus bottom in the Evo-Stik League tomorrow (3rd February) when the Peacocks welcome Bishops Cleeve to the Viridor Stadium, kick-off 3.00pm.
Last weekend’s win over Didcot stretched Town’s lead at the summit to eight points with a minimum of two games in hand on all the top ten sides bar Bideford. Bishops Cleeve meanwhile have struggled this campaign, having won just three times in 25 league outings to leave them six points adrift at the bottom. However lowly Barnstaple’s win at 2nd placed Salisbury last Saturday demonstrated there are no certainties in this division. The Mitres have also shown improved form of late, two of their three wins this season coming last month with victories over Mangotsfield and Slimbridge and only losing to promotion chasers Bideford by a solitary last minute goal. Town won the corresponding fixture 3-1 at Kayte Lane in September so will be aiming to complete another league double.
The Peacocks name the same squad as last weekend, with Exeter City loanee Joel Randall again not available as he is playing for their Academy in an EFL Youth Cup semi-final against Oxford United. However he will be available going forward after tomorrow starting with Tuesday’s trip to Paulton Rovers. Brett Trowbridge has had a successful operation on his fractured eye socket he suffered in an accidental collision in the game at Mangotsfield last month. As a result he will not play again this season and we wish him a speedy and full recovery.
Looking ahead to the Bishops Cleeve match, manager Leigh Robinson said: “Hopefully we can capitalise tomorrow on a good win last week and try to keep building our lead at the top. It’s one of those games where everyone will be expecting us to win but Bishops Cleeve have given us some good games in the last few season and are more than capable so we need to turn up with the same focus and determination as last week.”
A discounted admission fee of only £1 is on offer tomorrow for all NHS and Emergency Service staff who will just need to show their ID card at the turnstile.