The Peacocks commence the final fortnight of their terrific Evo-Stik League season with a trip to Wimborne Town tomorrow (14th April), kick-off 3.00pm.
With the title already guaranteed, the pressure is off for Town in their final five games but that will not lessen the desire to extend their 29 game unbeaten run and cap off a memorable campaign with only one league defeat to their name. The third placed Magpies though will be doing their utmost to end Town’s unbeaten record on the road to keep their own promotion hopes burning as they are still in a position to overhaul Salisbury for the second automatic promotion slot, and with only five points separating seven sides in the top ten, every point will be precious in order to secure a play-off berth. The two teams of course only met recently at the Viridor Stadium when they fought out a 3-3 draw, Dan Sullivan appearing to have won the game for the Peacocks with a goal in the final minute, only for the visitors to grab a point with virtually the last kick of the evening deep in stoppage time. Following that match Wimborne lost at Bristol Manor Farm before bouncing back with wins over Salisbury and Mangotsfield and then a resounding 7-0 midweek triumph against Shaftesbury in the final of the Dorset Senior Cup so they will go into the game tomorrow in confident mood.
Town will be missing the injured Pierce Mitchell tomorrow while Keith Emmerson is away with work commitments. Matt Buse who damaged his knee in the promotion clincher against Kidlington two weeks ago remains very doubtful.
Manager Leigh Robinson commented: “We’re expecting a really tough game tomorrow. Wimborne were excellent at our place a couple of weeks ago, have clearly got goals in them and still have a chance of automatic promotion so will be highly motivated. For us the pressure is now off and we can enjoy some freedom but I know the lads are still keen to accumulate as many points as possible.”