Falmouth Town will look to make their only home game of December count when they host Barnstaple Town in the Western League on Saturday (kick-off 1pm).
This weekend’s game, which kicks-off at the earlier time of 1pm due to the eagerly-anticipated World Cup quarter-final between England and France later that evening, will be Town’s final game at Bickland Park in 2022, with their two remaining games in December being played at Buckland and Saltash.
Town and Barnstaple have played the fewest games in the division (15), and the recent weather and cup-related postponements mean this will be only Town’s second home league game since the end of October.
It will also be Town’s first match since the respective departures of first-team coach Charlie Davis and striker Jack Bray-Evans earlier this week.
Victory on Saturday could see Town move as high as tenth, while seventh-placed Barnstaple could rise one place to sixth if they take all three points.
Barnstaple, who are managed by Craig Laird, are playing their first Western League campaign since 2016 after the Devonians finished bottom of the Southern League Division 1 South last term.
Their promotion in 2015/16, which was their second successive promotion after winning the Western League Division 1 the season before, ended a run of 67 consecutive campaigns in the Western League.
Barum then played four full seasons – plus two curtailed campaigns owing to covid – in the Southern League before their stay at Step 4 came to an end last term.
Laird’s men come into Saturday’s game with mixed league form, having won three and lost three of their last six Western League games.
Barnstaple have scored 47 goals in all competitions this season, with Callum Laird leading the way with ten strikes in 20 games, while Stuart Bowker is next with nine goals this term.
Westy’s words
“This week’s not been easy with two big blows, but that’s part of football. We’ve still got enough good people at this football club to keep us driving forward and hopefully that will be evident on Saturday.
“It’s been an incredible year with what we’ve achieved and our home record is pretty impressive. I think when you enter a new league it’s always going to be difficult but you want your home form to be good and whatever results you can get on the road is a bonus for your first year at this level of football.
“This year will definitely be looked back on with fond memories and hopefully we can end the year on a high.
“Barnstaple got relegated last season so it will be a tough test, they’ve already been a Southern League club and are looking to get back in there. They’ve got an experienced manager in Lairdy and have boys who have been there and done it.
“It’ll certainly be a test but these are the games you want to be playing in, these are the reasons for joining the Western League, to play against big clubs and I think everyone’s looking forward to it.”
Last five games – Falmouth Town:
Dec 3: Torpoint Athletic 1-1 Falmouth Town (League)
Nov 19: Falmouth Town 2-1 Ashton & Backwell United (League)
Nov 12: Laverstock & Ford 2-1 Falmouth Town (FA Vase)
Nov 9: Falmouth Town 0-2 Wendron United (Senior Cup)
Oct 29: Falmouth Town 2-2 Keynsham Town (League)
Last five games – Barnstaple Town:
Dec 6: Buckland Athletic 4-1 Barnstaple Town (St Luke’s Cup)
Dec 3: Barnstaple Town 0-2 Helston Athletic (League)
Nov 26: Street 0-2 Barnstaple Town (League)
Nov 19: Barnstaple Town 0-2 Bridgwater United (League)
Nov 12: Barnstaple Town 1-0 Torpoint Athletic (League)
Stadium address
Bickland Park, Bickland Water Road, Falmouth TR11 4PB
Tickets
Adults: £6
Under-16s and concessions: £3
We advise that supporters arrive in plenty of time to avoid queues at the gate shortly before kick-off.
Matchday programme
Limited copies of our matchday programme will be available on entry to the ground for £1.
50:50 draw
A collection for the 50:50 draw will be made during the first half, with the winning ticket announced over the PA system at half-time. Each entry to the draw costs £1.
Refreshments and facilities
Once inside Bickland Park, food and beverages can be purchased from the serving hatch immediately to your left upon entering the ground.
Toilets can be found inside the clubhouse and in the hut at the far end of the ground.
Seating is available in the grandstand, with disabled access provided via a separate entrance at the top of the steps alongside the back row.
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We look forward to seeing you at Bickland Park on Saturday and hope you enjoy your afternoon.
Up The Town ??