The Peacocks progressed comfortably to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup after beating Bitton 4-0 at a very wet Viridor Stadium yesterday afternoon (22nd September).
The 2nd Round Qualifying tie proved another challenge which Town dealt with competently, ending Western League Bitton’s nine game winning start to the season. The Peacocks went ahead on 31 minutes when Andrew Neal bundled in Dan Sullivan’s cross before Sullivan himself got on the scoresheet five minutes before the break when his chipped pass into the box evaded everyone to end up in the corner.
Matt Buse steered home Shane White’s cross for the third after 50 minutes before both Sullivan and Matt Wright hit the post while at the opposite end Nuno Felix cleared off the line from Ben Bament. Josh Nelmes headed in from Ryan Brett’s corner to conclude the scoring six minutes from time and confirm Town’s place in Monday’s draw for the 3rd Round Qualifying on 6th October, meaning the scheduled Evo-Stik League home fixture with Frome Town will now have to be rearranged.
Reaction | acting manager Rob Dray remarked: “A great day for the club yesterday and one that keeps Alan our Finance Director happy! I thought we didn’t quite have our usual fluidity in the first 20 minutes, partly due to us but also due to Bitton putting up a good show, but after we scored the first it was business as usual and we probably should have been a bit more clinical at times. Our third goal is already goal of the season for me, it shows we have another side to us which is particularly pleasing. We now look forward to the draw, Monday dinner times are interesting again!”
Midfield man Ryan Brett said: “A real professional performance from the lads in difficult conditions. Some of the football played for the goals was superb and credit to Kev and the grounds team for preparing such a great surface for the boys to play on.”