TAUNTON Town boss Rob Dray wants his players to show a winning mentality over the Christmas period, with this Saturday’s trip to Staines Town being followed by a home match with old rivals Tiverton Town on Boxing Day (both ko 3pm).

The Peacocks’ eight-match winning run was ended by a 3-1 defeat at Hartley Wintney on Saturday, but Dray is already looking ahead.

“We can’t feel too sorry for ourselves, we’ve got to go out and play better,” he told the County Gazette.

“We know we have the talent and quality, and we’ve had a great run.

“Staying mentally strong is the key, to grind the results out.

“If you’d said at the start of the season that Taunton would be near the top at Christmas, I’d certainly have taken that.

“We’re defying the odds to be up there with the big boys.”

Dray is boosted by having a full squad to select from, as the league leaders travel to take on basement club Staines in Surrey this weekend.

Taunton beat Staines 4-0 on the opening day of the season, but Dray isn’t reading too much into that.

“Staines have a new management team now,” he said.

“I spoke to Danny Greaves [manager of Frome Town, who beat Staines 2-0 last weekend] about them, but there’s a lot you don’t know.

“Things change, and clubs can sign players between then and now.

“We’re a target in this league now, teams feel they have nothing to lose against us and they go for it.”

Opposition in focus

TAUNTON Town have faced a lot of ventures into the unknown this campaign, but this week brings two games against teams they’ve already played.

Staines Town were seen off 4-0 on the opening day of the season, and Tiverton Town were beaten 3-1 in ex-manager Leigh Robinson’s last game in charge of the Peacocks.

Taunton head to Staines on Saturday (ko 3pm) for a clash of bottom against top at Wheatsheaf Park.

The Swans are nine points adrift at the foot of the table, and are without a league win since beating Swindon Supermarine on November 10.

There’s been plenty of managerial upheaval at the club, with Rob Easom replacing Cristian Colas at the end of October, only for him to depart after a month, leaving Barry Silkman in charge.

Silkman will be looking for a better outcome than the Swans’ last home match... a 6-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Dorchester.

Elsewhere this weekend

IN the Toolstation Western League Premier Division, Wellington host fellow strugglers Cribbs, who are one place and one point behind them (ko 3pm).

Then, on Boxing Day (Wednesday, ko 1pm), Wellington are at home to Bridgwater Town, who boast six ex-Wellington men in their squad.

George Painter moved up the M5 only last week, but is set to miss the Boxing Day clash after being sent off on his Bridgwater debut against Willand Rovers last weekend.

Tangerines manager Clive Jones said: “We’re so thin on the ground, I’m desperate to keep the side together.

“Paul [Pocock] has been brilliant, helping me with training and coming in at the last minute on Saturday – he’s 42 but I wish more players had his attitude.

“We need to stick together and stop the rot by getting a result from somewhere.

“I’m struggling for defenders over Christmas but we need to keep positive and not give up.

“We have 20 games to go, and we need four or five wins to stay out of danger.”

In the First Division, Bishops Lydeard travel to Portishead Town.

Staplegrove host Minehead in Division 1 of the Somerset County League, while Watchet Town welcome Clevedon United in the Premier Division.