There is no time to bask in the success of Saturday as the Peacocks prepare to travel to Bideford for their next Evo-Stik League game tomorrow (2nd April), kick-off 3.00pm.
Yesterday’s win over Kidlington finally guaranteed promotion for Town to the Southern Premier for the first time in their history but with one mission accomplished, sights are now firmly set on securing the title. Second placed Salisbury are now the only side that can prevent the Peacocks from scooping the top honour, with eleven points required from their final seven fixtures to ensure the championship comes to the Viridor Stadium. Town currently hold a 14 point advantage over Salisbury who have a game in hand, with both sides facing difficult games tomorrow against play-off chasing teams. While the Wiltshire club travel to Wimborne, Town make the trip to North Devon hoping to go one better than the 1-1 draw between the sides in February when they were unable to build on Dan Sullivan’s first half goal. Since that meeting, the Robins have had some up and down results, their last three fixtures being against rival sides near the top which has seen a home draw with Salisbury followed by two defeats on the road at Bristol Manor Farm and most recently at Evesham on Good Friday. However with two games in hand they are still one of a host of clubs in the running for a play-off place so will need no incentive to try and end Town’s unbeaten record on the road tomorrow.
Town will be missing Craig Veal for tomorrow’s match as he is on holiday while Matt Buse is doubtful due to the knee injury he suffered against Kidlington but the rest of the squad are all fit for selection. Coach Rob Dray commented:” After Saturday’s great day for the club, we are firmly back in the mindset of winning games. There was no night out, we will hopefully keep that on the back burner! Bideford are always a difficult test, especially at the Sports Ground, so again even if it’s clichéd, we know that we need to be at our best. The mood and attitude as expected are excellent and the desire to finish the job we started in August is high”.
There are no problems with the Bideford pitch at present but with rain forecast overnight into tomorrow morning there will be a precautionary pitch inspection by 11am.