After a ten day break, the Peacocks return to action when they host Truro City in the 2nd Round of the Southern League Challenge Cup tomorrow evening (9th November), ko 7.45pm.
It will be the second meeting of the sides this season, Town having come out on top 2-1 in the League encounter on August Bank Holiday Monday at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium when a late Dan Sullivan winner secured the points after a Tyler Harvey penalty had cancelled out Gethyn Hill’s opener. Since that game, the Cornish side have won five and lost three League fixtures, although they have been successful in their three most recent games, impressive away wins at Poole and Merthyr sandwiching a home victory over Cirencester in the FA Trophy.
City beat Willand Rovers 3-1 to reach the last 32 stage, their only game in the competition so far, whereas Town have negotiated two rounds already, beating Bideford on penalties following a 1-1 draw after normal time in North Devon and then disposing of Barnstaple Town 6-0 in the previous round at the Cygnet. Facing the White Tigers, the Peacocks will be searching for their first win in three games, having suffered successive defeats to Hendon in the League and Weston-super-Mare in the FA Trophy which followed a run of six league fixtures unbeaten so the start of a similar run would be more than welcome tomorrow evening.
The Town squad will again be a mixed bag, with several regulars out for various reasons. Joe Guest is suspended for one game after accumulating five bookings whilst Gethyn Hill also serves a one game ban after his dismissal at Weston. Ollie Chamberlain, Ross Staley, Zac Smith, Ben Adelsbury and Toby Holmes are all carrying injuries and will not feature. Loanee Khari Allen has also returned to his parent club Bristol City. New loan signing Joe Budd comes into the squad along with several players from our Development Partner Bridgwater and Taunton College.
Head of Football Rob Dray commented:” With two suspended and five injured it gives us a great chance to look at some of our players who need minutes and also the BTC lads who have showed some real quality. Truro as ever, whatever side they bring, will be a tough ask but after no game on Saturday we will be going into it with real intent.”
Admission is pay on the gate by card or cash only, with no advance online ticket sales available for this game. Prices are £10 Adults, £8 Concessions, £5 Juniors (14-17 years), Free for Under 14’s accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied Under 14’s will not be admitted.
The match programme is online only and can be read HERE