With national cup interest having ended for the season, the Peacocks will be eager to regain their winning touch when they make the trip to Swindon Supermarine in the Evo-Stik League tomorrow (3rd November), kick-off 3.00pm.
Successive defeats to Billericay Town in the FA Cup and Weymouth in the FA Trophy, the first back to back losses since the end of 2016-17, leaves Town able to focus on their league campaign where they sit handily in fourth place with 20 points from eleven games. This will be a fifth successive home league match for tomorrow’s opponents Swindon Supermarine who were promoted to the Southern Premier after winning last season’s West Division Play-Off Final on penalties. Despite lying down in 17th spot Supermarine have racked up some good results so far this season, earning three points at Metropolitan Police and gaining draws at Merthyr and Salisbury. They are also unbeaten in their last three league fixtures, holding leaders Weymouth to a 1-1 draw and then beating Farnborough and Wimborne at the Webbswood Stadium. It therefore promises to be another difficult test for the Peacocks as they look to consolidate their place in the play-off zone.
New signings Ed Palmer and Lewis Hall are both eligible and named in the squad travelling to Wiltshire. The only absentee is striker Andrew ‘Rocky’ Neal who serves the second of his three game ban after his dismissal at Billericay a fortnight ago.
Head of Football Rob Dray remarked: “After getting knocked out of both cups we need a reaction tomorrow against a good side which drew with Weymouth recently. The league table doesn’t tell the whole story in this division and it will be very tough as there are no gimmes in this league. However the boys have had a few days off and are fresh and with the addition of Ed and Lewis to the squad we are looking forward the game and a relatively local journey.”
Meet Swindon Supermarine
Ground: Webbswood Stadium, Supermarine Road, South Marston, Swindon SN3 4BZ
Directions: From M4 junction 15, take A419 to Swindon, Cirencester and Gloucester. Continue on the A419 until the 4th exit signposted Highworth, Lechlade and Burford. After 397 yards on the slip road, take the first exit left onto the A361 (Highworth Road). At the first roundabout take second left (Honda entrance will be on your right). Take the second exit at the next roundabout (South Marston Industrial Estate is on the right hand side). At the next roundabout take the second left into Supermarine Road and then first left after 50 yards into the Supermarine Sports Complex. The car park is immediately on your left. On leaving the car park the entrance to the ground is approximately 40 yards on the right hand side.
Admission: Adults £8, Concessions (OAP’s, Students, Children 12-16) £5, Under 11’s Free, Programme £2, Car Parking Free
Last Meeting: the Peacocks gained the double over Supermarine in the league last season, winning 3-2 away in October thanks to goals from Matt Wright, Ollie Chamberlain and Dan Sullivan, and also coming out on top in the return at the Viridor Stadium, a Matt Buse strike steering his side to a 1-0 victory in February.