The Peacocks face their first competitive game of the new campaign tomorrow evening (31st July) when they meet Brislington in the Final of the 2023-24 UES Somerset Premier Cup competition, ko 7.45pm.
The Final, being staged at Bath City’s Twerton Park, provides Taunton with an opportunity to claim some silverware before the action officially starts on 10th August, the semi-finals and final of the Premier Cup having been held over from last season. As it transpired, the semis were not necessary due to the withdrawal of scheduled opponents Larkhall Athletic and Weston-super-Mare, giving a bye to the final for the Peacocks and Western League Brislington who sent out a message of intent at the weekend as they began their season proper with a blistering 8-0 home victory over St Blazey.
Taunton meanwhile have played nine pre-season friendlies in which they have utilised a large number of players. Tomorrow will be a different affair though with only 16 on the teamsheet as the Peacocks aim to secure their first win in a Somerset Premier Cup final since May 2017 when they beat Weston-super-Mare 4-2 at Bridgwater Town’s ground. The two sides met again in July 2019 in another held over match from the previous season, with Weston winning 2-1 in what was Town’s most recent appearance in an SPC Final.
Manager Richard Luffman is expecting a difficult game, saying: “We’re really excited at the opportunity of playing in our first competitive game in a cup final which is a unique opportunity for us as a management group and team to win some silverware in our first season. It’s going to be a really tough game against Brislington who have some top players that have played this level and above and we know that we’re going to have to be at it from start to finish to win. We have worked really hard over the past six weeks and we’re all excited to get going and looking forward to seeing hopefully big numbers of Taunton fans travelling down to Twerton Park and get behind the team.”
Taunton will be boosted by summer signing Tom Smith who is lined up to make his Peacocks’ debut, the Town boss commenting: “We are delighted on the team news front that we’re going to have Tom Smith make his first start for the club which is ironic for him being that his last game was for Bath City at Twerton Park and his first for Taunton will be at the same ground. We’re really excited to get going in a game that has something on it.”
MATCH INFO
Ground: Twerton Park, Bath BA2 1DB
Directions: Approach Bath on A39, passing through Corston. At “The Globe” roundabout take 3rd exit (Combe Down, Newton St Loe). After 1 mile take the left turn at the bottom of the hill signposted Twerton (Newton Road). Follow this road for 1 mile to enter Twerton. Entrance to the stadium is on the right, the access road being next to Morrisons.
Admission: Adults £10, Under 16’s £7. Payable by cash or card
Match Commentary: live commentary will be available on Peacocks Radio
Last meeting: the Peacocks most recent game with Brislington came in November 2012 in a 2nd round tie in the same competition at Wordsworth Drive, the home side progressing 2-0 via second half goals from Simon Ingram and James Blake.