After a weather-enforced two week break, the Peacocks will be eager to resume their Evo-Stik League campaign when they travel to Winchester City tomorrow (10th March), kick-off 3.00pm.
Consecutive games against Barnstaple and Slimbridge have fallen foul of the recent freeze and after two weeks without a match Town will want to get their promotion quest back on track following disappointing performances against Bideford and North Leigh in their two most recent outings. Whereas last week it was snow and ice, rain has returned though and after some heavy downpours this afternoon and with more forecast overnight, Winchester are arranging a pitch inspection for around 9.00 tomorrow morning.
Town will be chasing a league double over their Hampshire hosts after winning the reverse fixture 4-1 at the Viridor Stadium in October courtesy of goals from Ben Adelsbury, Ollie Chamberlain, Ross Staley and Matt Wright. City though are still within touching distance of the play-offs so will have a double incentive to end the Peacocks’ unbeaten away record this season and keep their own hopes alive. They sit in 9th spot but have picked up just one point from their last three matches which includes conceding four goals in successive games against Bristol Manor Farm and bottom side Bishops Cleeve. With just twelve league fixtures remaining and an eleven point lead at the top of the table, Town meanwhile will be aiming for a positive result ahead of their visit to second placed Salisbury next weekend.
Pierce Mitchell returns to the squad after hobbling out of the Swindon Supermarine match three weeks ago with a groin strain and new signing Nuno Felix also comes in. However Keith Emmerson is unavailable as he is playing for the Army team and loanee Joel Randall also misses the trip after suffering an injury whilst training with his parent club Exeter City.
Manager Leigh Robinson remarked: “Winchester is never an easy place to go and we had a tough game there last year I seem to remember. Everyone was really frustrated that we were below our best and not clinical enough to beat Bideford or North Leigh so hopefully this enforced break has freshened us up mentally and we’ll be firing on all cylinders tomorrow.”