The Peacocks take a break from Southern League duties when they begin their Emirates FA Cup quest with a trip to Shepton Mallet tomorrow afternoon (4th September), ko 3.00pm.

The 1st Round Qualifying tie with the Western League Premier Division side poses an awkward test for Town, with Mallet having made an unbeaten start to the season in all competitions. In the League they currently lie in 5th spot following a blistering opening, scoring 18 goals, and conceding none in their first four games in big wins over Cadbury Heath, Bridport and Ashton & Backwell United, and a goalless draw with Buckland Athletic. However the last three league fixtures have all ended in draws, the last two being goalless, but their potential to cause an upset cannot be underestimated after they gained a 1-0 win at Southern League Division One South side Melksham Town in the previous round. They actually entered the competition at the Extra Preliminary Round when they needed a replay to knock out Andover New Street by a 4-0 margin.

Town meanwhile will come into the game boosted by their victory over Truro City on Monday afternoon which was a welcome return to winning ways after two successive defeats. As well as chasing prize money of £2,250, the Peacocks will be hoping for another long run in the competition, having reached the 4th Round Qualifying in three of the past five seasons. Jared Lewington, Ioan Richards and Ben Adelsbury are all back in contention following injury, new striker Lewington having not played since going off at Wimborne three weeks ago. Midfielder Lee Lucas who was injured in the same game is another week away from returning while left back Jay Foulston will be out for around six weeks after damaging his hamstring at Hayes & Yeading last weekend.

Head of Football Rob Dray said:” Tomorrow is a very difficult tie on paper, and they will be looking to cause another upset after beating Melksham on their own pitch. We don’t want to be that team on the end of an upset, as we have done to a number of teams in the last five years. We’ve had them watched and they have had a great start so we will not be taking any liberties.”

Traveller Info

Shepton Mallet FC: Playing Fields, Old Wells Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5XN

Ground to Ground: 30.1 miles

Admission: £7 Adult, £5 Concessions

Directions: Travelling via A361 from Glastonbury, take left-hand turning at the top of the hill exiting Pilton signposted Shepton Mallet B3136. Follow B3136 into Shepton Mallet and take left-hand turning onto Old Wells Road signposted Hospital, Crematorium, Football Club. The entrance to the ground is around 300 yards on the left and is signposted as West Shepton Playing Fields.