The Peacocks are back on the Emirates FA Cup trail when they welcome Walton & Hersham to the Cygnet Health Care Stadium for a 3rd Round Qualifying tie tomorrow afternoon (1st October), ko 3.00pm.
Town will be keen to get their performance in the previous round out of their system after they made heavy weather of beating Laverstock & Ford but they will find tomorrow’s visitors an equally tricky proposition. The Swans participate in the Isthmian League South Central Division, two levels below the Peacocks, and currently sit in 4th position with 12 points from their five games played. After losing on the opening day at Marlow, they have reeled off four successive victories including the defeat of leaders Northwood on Tuesday evening at the Elmbridge Sports Hub, home of Town’s former Southern League rivals and now sadly folded Walton Casuals.
Walton & Hersham have already played an incredible seven matches in this season’s FA Cup competition, with a replay being necessary in three of the four previous rounds. They began with a 2-2 home draw with Kennington in the Extra Preliminary Round at the start of August but went on to win the replay 4-0. This was followed by a 3-2 home victory against Littlehampton Town before they proved their calibre by dismissing Beaconsfield Town from the competition, prevailing 1-0 in a replay after another 2-2 home draw. In the last round the Swans were again held 2-2 by Chatham Town but came through by a 3-1 margin in the replay in Kent. The Surrey outfit are well battle-hardened to the 2022-23 FA Cup campaign then and with the likes of former Metropolitan Police trio Max Blackmore, John Gilbert and Arsen Ukjaj who Town have come up against in recent seasons, they will prove difficult opponents as both sides vie for the £5,625 prize money.
Head of Football Rob Dray remarked:” Another huge FA Cup game at the Cygnet where our League position means nothing against a team who are going well in their league at Step 4, sounds familiar!! After two great points against teams in the play-off positions, we must maintain that solidity and organization tomorrow as we cannot afford to have a repeat of our performance from two weeks ago.”
This will be Town’s 4th consecutive home match following the Laverstock tie and two draws in the National League South with Chelmsford and Bath City. They will hope to sign off with a positive display and hopefully some goals before they travel to League leaders Ebbsfleet United next weekend unless a midweek replay is necessary. The Peacocks will have a full squad available to select from.
Matchday Information
Turnstiles, Bar, Club Shop and Refreshment Outlets open at 1.00pm
Admission is payable by card or cash at the turnstile only, priced at £12 for Adults, £10 for Concessions and £5 for Juniors (14-17 years). Under 14’s are free on condition they are accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied Under 14’s will not be admitted.
We are pleased to confirm that printed Match Programmes will be available to purchase tomorrow from the Club Shop on an initial trial basis
They are also available to read online HERE
We extend our grateful thanks to tomorrow’s Match Sponsors The Blackbrook Pharmacy and Showtime Attractions Ltd
We welcome our Matchday Mascots tomorrow Ruishton Under 13’s
Last meeting: this will be the first ever meeting of the sides