TAUNTON Town head of football Rob Dray wants his side to “kick on” when they return to league action away to Swindon Supermarine this Saturday (ko 3pm).

The Peacocks, boosted by the return of former centre-half Ed Palmer from Truro City, were knocked out of the FA Cup and FA Trophy in the last week, but they have had a week to regroup.

Hosts Supermarine are 17th in the Premier Division South table (with Taunton fourth), but they are unbeaten in their last three league games and Dray is not taking them lightly.

Dray told the County Gazette: “In this league you can’t really look at the positions in the table; it’s so tight.

“They have good players, they’re experienced and they have a lovely set-up there.

“But we need a positive result with just the league to focus on now – we need to kick on.”

Dray expects to have new man Lewis Hall, along with aforementioned Palmer, in his squad, and also said that he is trying to get another new signing in before Saturday.

Taunton will be without Andrew Neal, who is suspended, while Nuno Felix has departed the Viridor Stadium – the club waiving a seven-day approach from Melksham Town for him.

It’s effectively one in, one out for Taunton – left-back Felix making way for versatile left-footer Hall, who joins from National League North side Hereford.

He is a product of the Bristol City Academy and played for Gloucester City for three-and-a-half years before joining Hereford this summer.

However, the 23-year-old has now switched to Taunton, who put a seven-day approach to bring him to the Viridor.

He has been injured for the past fortnight but is line to make his Peacocks debut on Saturday.

Dray said: “We wanted to keep Nuno, but I understand where he’s coming from.

“He had more opportunity to play if he moved, although he leaves us on very good terms.

“We wanted another left-footer, and as we have a small squad we want players who can play in a couple of positions.

“Lewis was available, and he comes to us with great pedigree.

“He can play left-back, left wing-back or on the left of a midfield two or three.

“He’s quick, he runs with the ball well, and it’s important for us to have a natural left-footer on that side.”

There will also be a change in goal for Taunton – though not until next month.

Lloyd Irish will be heading Down Under come December, with Mike Davies – a friend of player-coach Keith Emmerson – set to take his place for that spell.

Dray added: “Lloyd came to us a couple of weeks ago, and he’s been carrying some niggly injuries.

“His girlfriend is in Australia, and he asked for a few weeks off – some recovery time with the sun on his back.

“Mike is available to us and is a very good goalkeeper.

“He plays for the Army team and will sort us out [while Irish is away].”

Saturday’s match will be preceded by a minute’s silence for Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha – one of five to die in a helicopter crash last weekend – as a Southern League-wide tribute.

Focus on the opposition

THEY say the league table never lies... but in Swindon Supermarine’s case it just might.

Fourth-placed Taunton visit the Webbswood Stadium to face the 17th-placed hosts... away win, surely?

Perhaps not. It’s a tight league, with Supermarine eight points behind the Peacocks with a game in hand.

And before the weekend’s 3-0 loss to Banbury United in the FA Trophy, they were unbeaten in three games.

Following a 1-1 draw at home to Premier Division South table-toppers Weymouth, Marine secured two consecutive home wins – 4-2 over Farnborough and 3-2 against Wimborne Town.

Conor Mcdonagh scored in all three of those matches, so is one to watch.

At least Marine are one of Taunton’s most familiar opponents this season, having come up to Premier South alongside the Peacocks.

Their matches last campaign both went in favour of the Somerset side, who won 3-2 away from home last October – Matt Wright and Ollie Chamberlain putting the visitors 2-0 up, Marine clawing it back, and Dan Sullivan scoring the winner on just his second Town appearance.

There was only one goal in the reverse fixture at the Viridor Stadium in February, Matt Buse securing a 1-0 win for the home side.