The 2021-22 season is finally here for real as the Peacocks commence their Southern League Premier South campaign with a trip to Wimborne Town tomorrow afternoon (14th August), ko 3.00pm.
After a somewhat disjointed pre-season which included two games cancelled due to a covid outbreak, Town will hope some form of normality returns with the start of the League campaign, their fourth at Premier level albeit the last two seasons have both been curtailed early. The Peacocks will go into tomorrow’s opener in good spirits after their win over a talented Bristol City U23 side on Tuesday, a result which saw them record wins in four of their six friendlies played.
The Magpies pre-season meetings were a mixed bag as they comfortably beat Christchurch 4-0 at home while they gained victories on the road at Verwood Town and Cribbs. They drew 1-1 with both Paulton Rovers and Eastleigh but lost to Sholing and most recently Weymouth last weekend. Their first friendly against Portland United had to be abandoned due to a serious injury to Keaton Wood, one of their main summer signings, but they have also reinforced with the addition of two new recruits from National League Eastleigh, Lewis Beale and Ben Scorey.
The Peacocks will include several new faces in their squad with striker Jared Lewington, midfield man Zac Smith, defender Ioan Richards and young loan player Jack Veale all potentially involved in the first ever competitive game at Wimborne’s New Cuthbury ground. However Town will be missing the injured Dan Sullivan and Ben Adelsbury, otherwise the squad travelling to Dorset will be much the same as Tuesday. Head of Football Rob Dray is keen to get going. “It’s great to start properly tomorrow,” he remarked, “and everyone is looking forward to it. After the last two games we are in good form and feel confident despite a fragmented pre-season. However, no excuses, every team has their own issues and if we turn up tomorrow, we will be a hard team to beat.”
Traveller Info
Wimborne Town FC: New Cuthbury, Ainsley Road, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 2FU
For sat nav use BH21 2BW
Ground to Ground: 68.7 miles via town, 70.9 miles avoiding town
Admission: £12 Adults, £8 Concessions (Seniors over 60, students with a valid NUS card, Armed Forces and Emergency Services with a valid ID card), Under 18’s £5, Under 13’s £2
Tickets can be purchased online HERE or on the gate. All entry into the ground and club house is via the turnstiles, which will be open by 12.30pm. Parking is Free.
Directions: Travelling via Yeovil and Dorchester – continue on A35 after leaving Dorchester. At Townsend roundabout take first exit onto A31 signposted Ringwood, Wimborne, Blandford. Continue on A31 until approaching Wimborne. The first exit is signposted Wimborne Cranborne B3078 and will take you through the town. To avoid going through the town carry on along A31 and exit at the roundabout signposted Wimborne, Christchurch, Bournemouth Airport, Longham B3073. Take first exit after lights onto B3073 and continue for around one mile. Take a left turning into a small link road which leads onto Parmiter Drive. Continue before turning into Ainsley Road and the ground is at the end.