TAUNTON Town are back on home turf this Saturday (ko 3pm), with Swindon Supermarine visiting the Wordsworth Drive for a Southern League Premier Division South fixture.

The Peacocks are up to ninth (just three points off early leaders Poole Town) after a run of three wins and a draw in the league, while Supermarine sit 16th, having lost their last two.

Taunton’s head of football Rob Dray said: “They’ve signed really well, bringing in [experienced defender] Simon Downer last week.

“It will be tough; we are familiar with them and we know what to expect.”

Ryan Brett played 45 minutes of Wednesday's Challenge Cup tie against Willand Rovers, which Town won on penalties, though Nick Grimes was sent off for the second time in as many Taunton appearances.

Opposition in focus

Swindon Supermarine were described by head of football Rob Dray as a “dark horse” ahead of the season, and he’s expecting a tough game here.

Familiar foes from the Peacocks’ days down in Southern League Division 1, the Marine – who are the result of a 1992 merger between Supermarine FC and Swindon Athletic FC – came up via the play-offs in 2017/18.

Lee Spalding took over as manager in January 2018, succeeding Dave Webb (under whom he’d served as assistant manager since May 2012).

Spalding led the Marine to a solid 11th place finish last term, 12 points adrift of the play-off places but nine clear of the relegation zone.

Conor McDonagh was their main man up front last season, scoring 24 league goals, but this time round it’s Kane Simpson leading their top scorer chart with three strikes to his name.

So far they have won two, drawn one and lost three – two of those losses coming in the last week of August, away to Merthyr Town (3-1) and at home to early leaders Poole Town (1-0).

Much-travelled veteran Stuart Fleetwood (ex-Hereford United, Exeter City and Luton Town) is in the squad, and has three goals in all competitions up to now.

Spalding has also picked up experienced defender Simon Downer, who came through the West Ham Academy before going on to play for the likes of Leyton Orient, Weymouth, Sutton United and Hampton & Richmond.