After the euphoria of Wednesday’s Emirates FA Cup dismantling of St Albans, it’s back to Evo-Stik League action for the Peacocks tomorrow (13th October) when they travel to Poole Town, kick-off 3.00pm.
With two successive away league fixtures coming up in the next week though there will be no time to dwell on the significance of that fantastic knockout as Town will be focused on gaining another positive result on the south coast tomorrow to maintain their drive in the Southern Premier South where they sit in 2nd place. As has been proved already this season at this level, there are no easy games and tomorrow will be no different with Poole lying in 8th spot. The Dolphins were relegated from the National League South at the end of last season and lost their opening day fixture to Hartley Wintney. They bounced back with wins at Salisbury and Basingstoke and are now unbeaten in their last five games which has seen them thrash Farnborough 6-0 whilst also reaching the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after a replay victory over Horsham.
Captain Matt Wright serves the final game of his three match ban but Ryan Brett begins a suspension for the same number of games following his dismissal against Frome last Saturday. Nuno Felix returns after missing midweek due to work commitments and it is hoped there will be another addition to the squad subject to paperwork.
Interim boss Rob Dray remarked: “The FA Cup goes completely to the back of our minds now. We’ve got two tough games coming up and as I’ve said before we are nine games into a new division so complacency cannot and will not happen. It will be a test of our squad strength with two players suspended but we’re in good form and need to carry our performance level from Wednesday over to tomorrow against a strong, experienced Poole team.”
Tomorrow is Non –league Day 2018 and to recognise the event, Poole are offering pay what you want on the gate.
Meet Poole Town
Ground: The Black Gold Stadium, Tatnam, Oakdale School, School Lane off Palmer Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 3JR
Directions: Follow A338 via Bournemouth or A3049 via Ferndown to Poole. At Merley roundabouts follow A349 towards Poole. Do not go towards ferry port. When you reach the Fleetsbridge roundabout (Tesco on right) take the 4th road off roundabout Fleets Lane (between Staples and B&Q). Half a mile along Fleets Lane on the right is Poole Motor Cycles – Palmer Road is opposite. Turn left into Palmer Road, then right at mini roundabout into School Lane which leads into the car park. Pitch is on your right as you enter school car park.
Admission: Pay What You Want as part of Non-League Day 2018
Last Meeting: The clubs have met at various times over the years, most recently in the 2012-13 season when Poole won the Southern League South and West Division. The most recent encounter was a midweek game in March 2013 when Poole ran out 4-1 winners in Dorset in front of a 183 crowd, Khaled Badavi scoring the Peacocks’ consolation three minutes into stoppage time. Earlier in the campaign Town had opened their home programme with a 1-1 draw, Simon Ingram salvaging a point two minutes from time.