Eastbourne Borough travel to Somerset this Saturday looking to bounce back and rediscover that winning feeling.
The trip to Taunton Town will also give the Sports the opportunity to get added points on the board, with just two National League South fixtures scheduled due to the Emirates FA Cup.
Like Borough, Taunton fell at the Second Qualifying Round stage almost two weeks ago, therefore giving both teams the opportunity to move this game forward from its original March date.
After winning the Southern League Premier South in 2021/22, they finished a respectable 14th in their first season at Step Two.
And the Peacocks are looking to improve on that this time around, and have suffered just one defeat to date in the league so far – with five wins and four draws from their 10 games.
That comes despite losing to Merthyr Town in the FA Cup after a replay – their first defeat since losing 4-1 at Aveley in the second game of the season.
Under Rob Dray, they have won four out of five home league games so far – a 0-0 draw against Havant & Waterlooville last weekend ending their perfect record.
A win against the Sports will move Taunton top of the standings, albeit having played a game more than the vast majority.
After earning a point against Welling United last Saturday despite a below-par performance, the Sports will be looking to kick on in what promises to be a physical game at The Cygnet Health Care Stadium.
Decarrey Sheriff’s penalty gave Borough the lead at half-time against a Welling side managed by former boss Danny Bloor.
And the Wings fought back to turn the game around, with Jephte Tanga and Tristan Abrahams putting the visitors in front with 76 minutes on the clock.
But Borough dug deep, and drew level with four minutes to go when Shiloh Remy reacted well to a loose ball and fired home from ten yards.
Previous Meetings
04/02/23: The Sports 0 Taunton Town 3
28/02/23: Taunton Town 1 The Sports 2
The two teams met for the first time last season, with the away team walking away with three points on both occasions.
After a goalless first half, Ross Stearn’s double either side of Dylan Morgan’s effort gave Taunton a 3-0 win at Priory Lane in February.
However, the Sports bounced back in the return game a few weeks later under floodlights in Somerset. Ollie Chamberlain gave Taunton a first half lead, but Luke Pearce’s brace after the break gave Borough a 2-1 win.
How to get there
The ground is easily accessible from all major routes into the town.
M5 – leave the motorway at Junction 25. Take the exit off roundabout signposted Taunton (A38). Go straight over first roundabout, keeping in left hand or middle lane. Continue along the Toneway and keep straight on at the four-way traffic light junction until reaching a roundabout where the left hand lane should be taken onto Chritchard Way. Stay left and take exit at traffic lights, then go straight ahead at traffic lights immediately after. Continue around the corner into Wordsworth Drive and the ground is on the left.
The ground is also an approximate 25 minute walk from Taunton Railway Station.
Matchday parking is also available at £2 per vehicle.
Admission Prices
Payable by card or cash at the turnstile:
Adults (ages 18 to 67 incl.): £14
Concessions (State Pensioners & Students with ID): £11
Youth (13-18 years): £5
Junior (6-12 years): £2
Children aged under 6 are free with a paying adult
Match Coverage
If you can’t make the trip to Somerset this weekend, then fear not! You can follow all the action as it happens across all of our social media channels.
