The Peacocks play their first away game of 2022 when they travel to Dorchester Town in the Southern League tomorrow (8th January), ko 3.00pm.
The win over Tiverton on Bank Holiday Monday was Town’s seventh League game without defeat, a sequence which has elevated them up to 6th in the Premier South table., and with their five remaining fixtures this month being against opposition in the lower half they will be aiming to maintain their healthy position challenging for the play-offs. The Peacocks have games in hand on four of the five teams above them so are very handily placed but first things first will need to be fully focused on the job in hand tomorrow against a Magpies side who are sitting in 18th spot, with 7 wins from their 25 games played. Five of those victories have come on the 3G pitch at the Avenue Stadium but they have only picked up one win since mid-November, a home success against Harrow Borough while their most recent appearance there saw them lose to Poole which was followed by a 2-1 reverse at Yate last Saturday. They have boosted their firepower today by signing striker Olaf Koszela on loan from Torquay United for the rest of the season. He has recently been with Tiverton and featured against the Peacocks last Monday. Defender Sam Davidson though has left the Dorset club this week.
Town will be looking to claim their second League double of the campaign after they narrowly beat Dorchester at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium back in August. After Sam Bayston had put Dorchester ahead, two goals from Ollie Chamberlain soon after were just enough to secure the points following an injury time penalty miss from the visitors. Head of Football Rob Dray is well aware luck was on the Peacocks’ side that evening. “It will be a totally different game tomorrow on 3G, so we set ourselves up mentally and tactically different to the derby match on Monday. We need to improve on our away form, however they are also improved, and we realise we got away with one in the home game. We will therefore need to be at it from the start, but we are on a nice run at the moment, and we are determined to keep it going.” Ben Adelsbury returns to the squad after a spell out with injury and keeper Lloyd Irish is also added after the end of his covid isolation. Jake Wannell though is out after suffering a hand injury caused by a saw.
On The Road – Dorchester Town
Ground: The Avenue Stadium, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2RY
Ground to Ground: 46.7 miles
Directions: Via A303 and Yeovil, approaching Dorchester on A37, take right hand turning at roundabout signposted Poole Honiton (A35). Take 2nd exit at next roundabout onto A35 and then first left at the next one signposted Maiden Castle. Turn right at the Magpies roundabout and the ground is situated past the Tesco store.
Admission: Adults £11, Concessions £8, 16-18 yrs £5, Under 16 £3
Online tickets can be bought in advance HERE or alternatively admission is payable at the gate