The Peacocks face a banana skin of a game in the Emirates FA Cup when they welcome Bitton to the Viridor Stadium tomorrow afternoon (22nd September), kick-off 3.00pm.
Town began their FA Cup campaign a fortnight ago with a 7-1 thumping of Bemerton Heath Harlequins and will be seeking to continue their quest with another positive result in tomorrow’s 2nd Round Qualifying tie where £9000 is up for grabs for the winner. However tomorrow’s tie is shaping up to be a tricky assignment for the Peacocks, with Western League Bitton able to field a good number of players with Southern League experience and having won all nine of their games played so far this season. Because of their cup commitments, they have only played four league fixtures which have gleaned them maximum points whilst to reach this stage in the Emirates FA Cup they have thrashed Tavistock 7-0, won 2-0 at Portland United and then despatched Westbury United 3-0 in the previous round. More success has come in the FA Vase where they have won twice including their most recent outing, a 3-1 home passage against Bishops Cleeve last Saturday which astoundingly is the only goal Bitton have conceded so far in 2018-19. Town will therefore need to put in another professional performance following on from their 4-0 victory over Chesham United last weekend.
There have been two meetings in recent times with the Ton who were beaten 5-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Viridor in the summer of 2014. Bitton won the other encounter, a Shane Hobbs goal not enough for Town who lost 2-1 away in the semi-final of the Somerset Premier Cup in April 2007.
The Peacocks’ squad remains unchanged from the Chesham clash, with Keith Emmerson having recovered from the toe injury which saw him sat on the bench while Brett Trowbridge has been given the all-clear on his knee by a specialist. Keeper Lloyd Irish is also fit to play after coming off at the break last Saturday with vision problems. Acting manager Rob Dray commented:” We look to take another step further in the FA Cup which we had some great memories from two years ago. Having a good cup run not only brings financial rewards which are crucial but also provides a welcome rest from the league, giving the tight knit squad we have the opportunity of becoming even tighter by making these memories. Bitton and my good friend Rob Sage are on a fantastic run and I know what he will have instilled in them with that strong Bristol mentality. We will treat them as seriously as Chesham last week and Barrow two years ago, this is the FA Cup and we realise we will have to do the basics very well against them in order to progress.”
Admission Prices
Adults: £10
Concessions: £8
U18: £5
U14: Free
Parking: £1