The Peacocks will be hoping for a more positive outcome than their last visit when they travel to Weston-super-Mare in the 3rd Round Qualifying of the Buildbase FA Trophy tomorrow (30th October), ko 3.00pm.

It was an afternoon to forget when Town went to the Optima Stadium last month in the Emirates FA Cup, with the Seagulls running out comfortable 5-1 winners. This time round the Peacocks will be aiming for better things as they look to progress to the 1st Round Proper and net the £2,450 on offer for the winners. Weston have added to their squad since the last meeting with the loan signings of Prince Henry and Nathaniel Williams from Bristol City, Adam Smith from Oxford United and goalkeeper Max Harris from Cheltenham Town plus the permanent acquisition of striker Alfie Moulden from Willand Rovers, but the ten outfield players who featured against Town last month were all on duty against Chesham last weekend which demonstrates the challenge ahead tomorrow.

After defeating Town in the FA Cup, Weston went out at the next stage to Dorking Wanderers, their only completed away game since then, with their League fixture away at Wimborne being abandoned last week due to the weather with the visitors 3-0 up. Their home form has been inconsistent since knocking the Peacocks out, suffering three home defeats in four games. They have beaten Beaconsfield but lost to Hartley Wintney, Yate and Salisbury before earning three points against Chesham, a result which sees them occupying 14th place in the table.

The Peacocks meanwhile were on a six match unbeaten run in the League until they slipped up 2-0 at Hendon last Saturday. For tomorrow’s tie, Jared Lewington returns to the squad after missing the last three games through injury while Conor Hartley is also back after playing for Ashton & Backwell in the FA Vase last weekend. Ross Staley though is out with a knock. Midfielder Lee Lucas is having an operation today on his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament so we send him our best wishes and hope for a speedy recovery.

Head of Football Rob Dray said:” After the FA Cup game, as a squad we realised it was far below the levels we expect. We are a different team to that one of six weeks ago though and we go there with good confidence and looking forward to the chance of evening things up in cup games this year.”

 

Traveller Info

Ground:  The Optima Stadium, Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS24 9AA

Ground to Ground: 27.0 miles

Admission: Adults £11, Concessions (over 60’s/Students) £7, Under 16’s £3, Under 8’s Free

Family (2 adults, 2 children) £20

Directions: Approaching from the South along the A370, take 2nd exit at Hospital roundabout signposted Oldmixon & Weston Ind Estates. Carry on along Broadway until reaching mini roundabout where you turn left into Winterstoke Road. The ground is approx. half a mile along the road on the left.