The Peacocks resume their BetVictor Southern League campaign when they welcome Blackfield & Langley to the Cygnet Health Care Stadium tomorrow afternoon (16th November), kick-off 3.00pm.
Town have not played a League fixture since beating Truro City just over three weeks ago due to the postponement with Hendon and Buildbase FA Trophy commitments taking centre stage, but after Monday’s disappointing replay defeat at Aveley the Peacocks will be determined to get back on track with a victory tomorrow. Despite their recent inactivity in the League Town still sit in a healthy 6th place, just six points adrift of leaders Chesham, and a positive result against the divisional newcomers in the first ever meeting between the sides will cement the position in the leading pack.
Tomorrow’s visitors from the Southampton area are experiencing their first year at Premier level after securing the Division One South title on their Southern League debut last season, having won the Wessex League to earn promotion. They have made a respectable if unspectacular start to life in the higher tier, lying in 15th spot with 16 points from their twelve games to date, but have proved their capabilities with wins over Weston-super-Mare and Truro City in the past month. However they have only recorded one league win on the road, an opening day success at Yate Town since when they have lost all five away matches.
Andrew Neal returns to the Town squad after missing the Aveley replay due to a one game suspension, but Ollie Chamberlain faces a fitness test and Bristol City loanee Zak Smith is another week away from being ready. Head of Football Rob Dray said:” It’s good to get straight back to league action against a decent side although it’s another step into the relative unknown. However tomorrow is a good chance to put Monday behind us and we will be looking to do that with a strong performance in front of our own fans.”