Town return to Evo-Stik League duty when they make their first ever visit to Metropolitan Police tomorrow (29th September), kick-off 3.00pm.
The away fixture in Surrey ends a run of five successive home Saturdays for the Peacocks as they look to consolidate their third place position in the table after seven games, being equal with five other sides on 14 points. The last three games have harvested Town 15 goals and only one conceded as they have safely negotiated two qualifying rounds of the Emirates FA Cup sandwiching a handsome win over Chesham United in their last league match a fortnight ago so there should be no lack of self-belief for the game against a Police side who lie in 12th spot.
The Blues have formerly been members of the Isthmian League since 1977 until their transfer to the Southern League for this season as part of the FA’s non-league restructure over the summer, a decision which saw them lodge an ultimately unsuccessful appeal. They won their opening two league games against Dorchester and Chesham in their new surroundings but have since drawn three times and lost twice. However, like Town, they still remain in the FA Cup after battling to a 3-2 win at Needham Market in a midweek replay, their fourth successive match without defeat
The Peacocks welcome back Pierce Mitchell into the squad after he missed last weekend’s cup tie with Bitton due to holiday while Keith Emmerson is also fit to play after a false dawn a week ago.
Acting manager Rob Dray commented: “It’s yet another trip into the unknown against an established club at Premier level. It’s one game at a time for us at the moment as we try to cement ourselves in this division – the FA Cup can wait as we need to bring a positive result back with us tomorrow to keep the momentum going. It will be very important in what we do out of possession tomorrow against a team who have had an excellent win in the week but if we maintain our recent standards then we give ourselves every chance.”
Meet Metropolitan Police
Ground: Imber Court Sports Club, Ember Lane, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 0BT
Directions: Take M3 to junction 1, then take A308. At roundabout take the fourth exit onto Staines Road (A308) towards Kingston. After 3.7 miles at roundabout take the second exit onto Hampton Court Way (A309). After 1 mile at roundabout take the third exit onto Ember Court Road, then 300 yards ahead of you is the entrance to the ground.
Admission: Adults £10, Concessions £5, Under 18’s Free
Last Meeting: this will be the first ever game between the sides