Taunton Town are back on the cup trail on Saturday when they travel to Chesham United in the second round qualifying of the FA Trophy, kick-off 3pm.

Town face a difficult task at the Buckinghamshire club who play a level higher in the non-league pyramid, but the Peacocks can take heart from their victory at another Evo-Stik Premier division outfit, Frome Town, in the previous round.

Since the Frome win at the end of September, Taunton have experienced a poor run of form, losing three league games and a Red Insure Cup tie, but manager Leigh Robinson believes this will only help to spur his team on.

He said: “It’s a game we’re all really looking forward to and really motivated by the chance of causing an upset.

“We’ve had a difficult few weeks with a number of players being unavailable for one reason or another which has meant results have been poor, but this is a great chance to put all of that behind us in a one-off cup game.”

Taunton will be strengthened by the return of Rodney Marsh, new club captain Owen Irish, Dave Hambly and Lee Smyth for Saturday’s encounter against a Chesham side who currently sit in tenth place in the table but who have also enjoyed little league success of late, being winless in their last five fixtures.

Gary Saunders misses the game because of a toe injury while loan keeper Matthew Urwin from Blackburn Rovers continues in goal as Connor Sidley-Adams is suspended.

Should a replay be required it will take place next Wednesday (October 31) at Wordsworth Drive, kick-off 7.45pm.

Taunton’s scheduled league game that evening at home to Mangotsfield United is off regardless as the Bristol side have to re-stage a cup match with Clevedon Town following floodlight failure first time around.

Taunton Town Under 18s, playing only their third game of the season, were knocked out of the Roger Stone Memorial Cup on Monday evening when they lost 6-4 to Bitton.

It has proved something of a nightmare for new youth team manager Trevor Jenkins to build up any momentum with his team due to a swathe of postponements since they last played on September 11.

The Under 18s found themselves 3-0 down at Bitton after 16 minutes but fought back to only trail 4-3 at the interval thanks to goals from Toby Nicholson and Sam Winslade (2). After the home side had scored again, Winslade went on to complete his hat trick but Town couldn’t close the gap and conceded a final goal.

They play their first home game of the season tonight (Thursday) when they entertain Weston-super-Mare in the Somerset Floodlight Youth League Premier Division, kick-off 7.45pm.

n There are seats remaining on the coach for the Chesham game at a cost of £10 return. To reserve a place or for more information, email admin@tauntontown.com or ring the club office on 01823-254909.