The Peacocks will be chasing their first Southern League double of the campaign when they travel to Walton Casuals tomorrow afternoon (4th December), ko 3.00pm.
A 3-0 win at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium at the end of September secured Town the points courtesy of goals from Gethyn Hill, Dan Sullivan and Ben Adelsbury and a similar result tomorrow would be more than welcome as the Peacocks look to keep in touch with the leading pack. Four points gleaned from two successive home games sees Taunton in 9th spot, only three points away from 5th placed Chesham and with three games in hand. The division has proved its unpredictability though in the past week with Hayes & Yeading losing their unbeaten record at Kings Langley last weekend while Metropolitan Police suffered only their second reverse of the season with a conclusive defeat at mid-table Hendon on Tuesday, meaning Town’s meeting with a Casuals side in 14th position will be as tricky as any.
Casuals are only three points adrift of the Peacocks albeit having played two more fixtures, having won seven and lost eight of their 19 games. They have been beaten twice at home this season but have won their last two league fixtures at the Sports Hub with a 4-3 victory over Hartley Wintney and a 1-0 win against Weston before losing at Hendon last Saturday. They bounced back on Tuesday evening though when they beat Hayes & Yeading to reach the Quarter Finals of the Southern League Challenge Cup, a feat also achieved by the Peacocks which was mistakenly quoted as being their first ever appearance at that stage of the competition whereas they had reached there ten years ago against Chippenham. The moral of the story is to check facts before publishing 😕
Ben Adelsbury returns to the squad after missing the midweek cup game at Weston-super-Mare while Will Buse comes back between the sticks in place of Lloyd Irish. Dan Sullivan and Ross Staley though both remain on the injured list. Head of Football Rob Dray remarked:” After the last two weeks we have to maintain our intent, especially on a 3G pitch which provides a different set of challenges. The home fixture with Walton has no bearing on tomorrow’s game when we will need to work hard to keep our momentum going. If we do that we give ourselves every chance.”
On The Road – Walton Casuals
Ground: Elmbridge Sports Hub, Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 2JP
Ground to Ground: 137.8 miles (via A303 /M3)
Directions: Take left exit when M3 ends signposted A308 Staines/Kingston/Sunbury. Take first left at bottom of slip road onto A308 and continue for around half a mile before turning left onto A244 signposted Shepperton/ Walton. Continue on A244 for around 2.5 miles and after crossing Walton Bridge take left hand exit signposted Hampton Court A3050. Continue along Hepworth Way A350 for around a mile before taking first exit at roundabout onto Waterside Drive signposted Xcel Leisure Complex and Sports Hub. Entrance to the ground is 2nd turning on the right and follow road round to the car park.
Admission: Adults £10, Concessions £6, 16 years and under Free