It’s back to it for the Peacocks as they commence their pre-season schedule with a trip to Clevedon Town tomorrow evening (7th July), ko 7.45pm.
The game begins a programme of seven friendly matches for Town before the action starts for real on 5th August when Braintree Town are the visitors for the opening Vanarama National League South fixture. The Peacocks’ squad returned for pre-season training towards the end of last month and tomorrow’s encounter will be their first opportunity to get some match fitness into the legs. Head of Football Rob Dray is satisfied with how training has gone so far, saying:” Things have gone well. The lads have come back in great condition and in terms of fitness probably ahead of where we would expect to be.”
Two new faces have come on board so far over the summer, namely goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe and centre half/midfielder Austen Booth and both have settled in seamlessly. The Town boss continued:” Dan looks a proper keeper and has great assurance. Austen has also slotted in really well and both will give us extra quality this season. Add to that the fact that Nick Grimes has fully recovered from his knee injury and Jay Foulston will begin straight line running next week as he continues his rehabilitation from a ruptured ligament and two broken bones in his ankle, then the squad looks in good shape. That is not to say we are not looking to strengthen further. However, recruitment has been incredibly difficult in the south-west and despite making decent offers to a number of strikers, we have been blown out of the water by what some other clubs can offer. I will not jeopardise the club’s finances by offering money we cannot afford. All I will say is to be patient and see how pre-season pans out. Rest assured we are working hard to get more faces in, but they have to be the right fit as we have a group of players who all want to be here and that is testament to the environment that the club creates.”
Tomorrow’s hosts Clevedon Town are no strangers to the Peacocks, having met regularly in previous years in both the Western and Southern League. The Seasiders now reside in the Western League Premier Division and occupied a final placing of 11th last season. For tomorrow’s game, the Peacocks will include eight trialists, with Lavercombe, Lloyd James, Dylan Morgan and Dave Sims-Burgess all away on holiday. Dray concluded:” Pre-season is all about increasing fitness levels, working hard and getting sharp without picking up any injuries. Tomorrow is the first step in that process.”
Traveller Info
Ground: The Everyone Active Stadium, Davis Lane, Clevedon, Somerset BS21 6TG
Ground to Ground: 35.3 miles
Directions: Exit M5 at junction 20, at bottom of slip road turn left at roundabout into Central Way, proceed to next roundabout (Tesco), and turn left onto Kenn Road. Continue out of town, cross river, and take next left onto Davis Lane. Cross over the motorway. Stadium on right in about 400m
Admission: Adults £8, Concessions £5, 12-18 year olds £3, Under 12’s Free
Last meeting: the sides last met on Friday 9th July 2021 in another pre-season game at Clevedon which finished 4-2 in favour of the visitors. The Peacocks raced into a four goal lead inside the opening 25 minutes through a penalty from Gethyn Hill and a hat trick from Jared Lewington before Morgan Williams and Glen Hayer pulled two back. Relive the match highlights HERE