The Peacocks will have another go at playing their Isuzu FA Trophy 4th Round Proper game at Torquay United tomorrow evening (17th January), ko 7.45pm.

The tie was postponed on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch at Plainmoor which has worsened Town’s fixture congestion as the National League South meeting with Eastbourne Borough originally scheduled for the Cygnet Health Care Stadium tomorrow has now joined the backlog. The winners of tomorrow’s match will have the incentive of a home game against Barnet in the next round on 11th February following today’s draw.

After dispatching Yeovil from the Emirates FA Cup in October to reach the 1st Round Proper of the competition, Town are aiming for another upset against a higher ranked side as they look to continue their run to the latter stages of the Trophy and net the £5,250 prize money. This will be the first competitive meeting between the clubs, the Peacocks having only previously met the Gulls in friendly matches or taking on their reserve team in the Western League.

Torquay, managed by former Yeovil boss Gary Johnson and including former Taunton players Robbie Herrera and Ken Griffiths in their backroom team, have not had the best of seasons so far, lying in 22nd place with 22 points from 26 games. Recent form reads three wins and two defeats from their last seven outings, but they go into tomorrow’s tie buoyed by their second home League victory of the season against FC Halifax Town last weekend. The Peacocks will take some confidence though from the fact that their League cohorts Hampton & Richmond Borough and Chippenham Town have both given United a test this season, Hampton taking the Gulls to a replay in the FA Cup after a 2-2 draw in Devon while Chippenham were 2-0 up in the previous round of the FA Trophy at Plainmoor before going down by the odd goal in five.

Town returned to action last week with their long trek to Dover which ended in defeat so no better way to bounce back than by claiming a higher League scalp as they look to reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time in their history. Head of Football Rob Dray is relishing the challenge. “The fact we are facing Yeovil and Torquay in competitive games in one season should be enough. But the lengths we have come with this squad show it isn’t. After watching them on New Year’s Day we know we have a massive task on our hands again against a legendary manager and an excellent side, but we shall try and sprinkle a little magic cup dust and have a proper go.” The Peacocks will have a full squad to select from, with centre half Dan Ball back after injury and midfield man Lee Lucas fit after missing midweek due to illness. Jay Foulston who limped off at Dover should also have recovered.

Traveller Info

Ground: Plainmoor Stadium, Warbro Road, Torquay, Devon TQ1 3PS

Ground to Ground: 54.4 miles

Directions: at the end of the M5 follow the A38 and then turn left onto the A380. Take the exit signposted Torquay A3022. On reaching a large retail park on your left (including a Currys PC World) turn left at the traffic lights towards Babbacombe/Plainmoor. Go straight across at the next roundabout. On reaching a T-Junction, turn left and then go right at the mini roundabout onto Westhill Road. Continue along this for 3/4s of a mile as it becomes Warbro Road. The ground is on the right. Plenty of street parking is available in the local area.

Admission: Adult £12, Concessions £10, Under 18’s £5, Under 12’s Free. Tickets for the game can be purchased in advance HERE

Last meeting: the last occasion the Peacocks played a Torquay side was a friendly game at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium on Tuesday 18th November 2014 which Town won 2-1 via goals from Josh Wadham and Kyle Bassett. The last occasion Town visited Plainmoor was in March 1993 when an early goal from Phil Hunt plus a brace from Nigel Jarvis secured a 3-2 win against Torquay Reserves in the Western League.