TAUNTON Town head of football Rob Dray believes his side “are not getting the credit we deserve” as their hunt for back-to-back promotions approaches the home straight.

The Peacocks sit five points clear at the top going into Saturday’s match with Farnborough at Wordsworth Drive after last weekend’s 2-1 win at Beaconsfield Town.

Dray told the County Gazette: “We have a fantastic group and I don’t think we get the credit we deserve - as a team or as a club - for what we have done over the past few seasons.

“If you look at the teams we are up against now - Weymouth, Salisbury, Merthyr - these are all big, established non-league teams who have been at this level or higher for a long period of time.

“If Weymouth or Salisbury were top I think people would be shouting from the rooftops about it.

“People have perhaps become used to seeing us towards the top of the table in recent years because we’ve been at a lower level, but to be top of this division is a brilliant effort.

“Whatever happens from here on in, it has been a fantastic season for us.”

The Peacocks are looking forward to being back on home soil for the first time since January 19 and are hoping for a bumper attendance.

“It will be great to be back in front of a proper crowd,” Dray said.

“Hopefully the Gazette offer (see below) will encourage more people to come along.

“We are the best performing side in the county at the moment, we’re top of the league and this is a great opportunity for people to come and see what we are about.”

Farnborough drew 0-0 with Met Police - one of Taunton’s title challengers - on Wednesday night, stretching Boro's unbeaten run to 10 games as they continue to improve.

“We know they are bang in form,” said Dray.

“But we are strong at home, we are in good nick and we want that to continue.

“Whatever the result, we won’t let it affect us too much - the focus will move to the next one.”

Taunton have a full squad to pick from, with Pierce Mitchell set to return.

The Peacocks are also hoping to extend midfielder James Dodd’s loan from Exeter City until the end of the season.

Ticket offer

County Gazette readers can benefit from two-for-one tickets for Saturday's match.

The cut out offer can be found on page 111 of this week's paper.

Somerset County Gazette:

Opposition in focus

Farnborough have improved notably since being beaten 4-1 by Taunton Town in November’s reverse fixture.

The Hampshire side are on a 10-match unbeaten run and have won five of their last six, taking them up to eighth in the table.

Connor Cullen is their leading scorer with nine goals, while Kurtis Cumberbatch has scored seven in his last six.

'Chopper' tribute

Saturday’s match will see Taunton Town pay tribute to loyal supporter and volunteer Mike ‘Chopper’ Byrne, who passed away recently at the age of 34.

Mike’s funeral took place on Thursday at Taunton Deane Crematorium and those attending wore claret and blue and/or red and white as a mark of respect for Mike.

Fans' forum

Taunton Town are staging a fans' forum after Saturday's game.

Supporters will have the chance to ask questions to head of football Rob Dray, assistant manager Matt Villis and chairman Kevin Sturmey from 5.30pm in the clubhouse.

Elsewhere this weekend

WELLINGTON are on home soil in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division, welcoming Brislington (3pm).

The Tangerines are looking to avenge a 4-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.

In the First Division, Bishops Lydeard - still in need of points to ease away from relegation trouble - host second-placed Keynsham Town (3pm).

Staplegrove welcome Uphill Castle in Division 1 of the Somerset County League.