If the Peacocks hope to repeat their Emirates FA Cup heroics of two seasons ago when they reached the First Round Proper, they will have to do it the hard way starting with the delayed 3rd Round Qualifying tie at home to St Albans City tomorrow evening (10th October), kick-off 7.45pm.
The winners of tomorrow’s game, apart from scooping the not insignificant sum of £15,000, will also land a trip to National League South leaders Billericay Town in the 4th Qualifying Round on 20th October following the draw made yesterday.
But first Town have the major hurdle of St Albans to overcome before they can even think about any journeys to Essex. City have made a good start in the National League South and lie sixth after 11 matches, with three wins from six away fixtures and three defeats. They are on a good run of form of late, having had a run of four straight league victories since losing at Billericay on August Bank Holiday. The only game they have failed to win during this time was their FA Cup tie against Corinthian Casuals which ended in a 1-1 draw at Clarence Park before the Saints triumphed 3-0 in the replay at the weekend, a game which delayed our 3rd Round clash until tomorrow. Given their status St Albans, managed by former Arsenal player Ian Allinson, will come to the Viridor Stadium as firm favourites but the Peacocks have proved in the last couple of years that on their day (or night) they can compete and beat higher ranked sides.
Town name the same squad which beat Frome 3-0 on Saturday, a win which elevated them up to second in the Evo-Stik League table. Shane White has recovered from a dead leg which forced him to go off whilst Keith Emmerson who played the final 15 minutes or so after coming off the bench suffered no reaction to his toe injury. Dan Sullivan who sat out the Frome match faces a late fitness test but skipper Matt Wright is suspended. Ryan Brett however is eligible to play after his sending off at the weekend but will begin a three match ban from this coming Saturday so misses the trip to Poole Town.
Interim manager Rob Dray said: “We’re looking forward to a big night under the lights in the FA Cup. My main message will be to leave nothing in the changing room – if we can give everything I know we are a challenge to any team but we have to be better without the ball tomorrow as good sides like St Albans will punish you otherwise. For the first time in a while we are significant underdogs but who knows what can happen as it’s the FA Cup.”
Admission Prices
Adults: £10
Concessions: £8
U18: £5
U14: Free
Parking: £1