The Peacocks will be hoping to achieve their first Vanarama National League South win of the month when they travel to Chelmsford City tomorrow (28th October), ko 3.00pm.
It’s fair to say October hasn’t proved the most successful for Town who opened the month by being pegged back later in the game to draw 2-2 at Dover, but since then have suffered two defeats on the spin whilst failing to find the net, last weekend’s single goal reverse to Hampton & Richmond being followed by Tuesday evening’s 3-0 loss at Bath City. That setback saw the Peacocks slip two places down to 4th in the table with the possibility of falling outside the play-off places if things don’t go their way tomorrow.
Head of Football Rob Dray commented:” Tomorrow is another chance to quickly put the wrongs right. Ironically, I think we have played some great stuff in the last two games and the lads have done extremely well but come away with no points. This is turning out to be a very close division with results generally very tight. We have to improve on the small stuff starting tomorrow, we haven’t become a bad side after two defeats, but errors have cost us and we need to iron these out if we harbour any hopes of winning.”
Chelmsford lie in 9th spot but only three points adrift of Town and will go above them with a win tomorrow. They actually started the season unbeaten in their opening seven matches before the wheel came off with three successive defeats before bouncing back at the start of October with an impressive 3-0 win at Weston-super-Mare which has been followed by consecutive draws with Slough and then Dover on Monday evening when the Clarets recovered from falling behind on three occasions to force a 3-3 result. It has been a busy week at the Melbourne Community Stadium with firstly winger Adam Mills departing after the Dover match and two signings arriving today in the shape of midfielders Finley Barbrook on loan from Ipswich Town and the return of Henry Ochieng from Aldershot Town. City also feature former Peacocks player Callum Watts in their squad after he signed for them over the summer from Grays Athletic. Another tough day beckons but there isn’t really an easy one in the National League is there?
The Peacocks name an unchanged squad from the midweek game at Bath.
Traveller Info
Ground: The Melbourne Community Stadium, Salerno Way, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2EH
Ground to Ground: 199.6 miles (via A303/M3/M25)
Directions: Leave the M25 at Jnct 28 and take A12 towards Chelmsford. Leave the A12 at junction 15, signposted Chelmsford, Harlow, A414 and head towards Chelmsford along the dual carriageway. At the third roundabout, immediately after passing the ‘Superbowl’ on the left, take the first exit into Westway, signposted Crematorium, Widford Ind. Estate. Travel along Westway, which then becomes Waterhouse Lane after the second set of traffic lights. At the next set of traffic lights, (at the gyratory system) take the first exit into Rainsford Road, signposted Sawbridgeworth A1060.Travel along Rainsford Road until you reach the second set of traffic lights. Turn right into Chignal Road and then right into Melbourne Avenue. Salerno Way is then on the left at the end of the football pitches and immediately before the block of high rise flats. Turn left at the mini roundabout for the entrance to the Stadium.
Admission: tickets can be purchased in advance online up until 12.00pm tomorrow HERE priced:
Adults £14, Concessions (65 and over) £9, Students & Youth (12-17 years) £4, Under 12’s Free with accompanying adult
Alternatively pay at the gate:
Adults £17, Concessions (65 and over) £12, Students & Youth (12-17 years) £6.50, Under 12’s Free
Match Commentary: live commentary will be available on Peacocks Radio
Last meeting: the Peacocks concluded their first ever season in the National League South with a 2-1 victory in Essex at the end of April. Dave Sims-Burgess gave Town a first half lead which was extended by a brilliant free kick from Lee Lucas just after the break, and although Arjanit Krasniqi reduced the arrears with a penalty the visitors emerged victorious. Relive the match highlights HERE