Preview | City seek winning start to 2026

City get 2026 underway on Saturday as we welcome Evesham United to the KMM Energy Stadium (kick-off 3pm).

We will be looking to bounce back from defeat in our previous game at Taunton Town and find the kind of form that saw dismantle Hungerford Town in our last home outing.

We face opponents who secured their place back at this level following play-off success at the end of last term.

They have faced the challenge head-on to sit in the middle of the table, but arrive on the back of successive 1-0 defeats in their last two games.

“We have seen strong growth and development within the group, both on and off the pitch, over the past 12 months,” said manager, Daf Williams. “The principles of play as we call them, have become consistently evident within our performances, and we believe both individually and collectively those level of performances have continued to improve.

“We also have set non-negotiables when representing this football club, and those standards and values are being produced weekly by the players.

“Irrelevant of what other sides may or may not be doing, we set ourselves some targets at the beginning of the season which would ultimately mean a considerable improvement on last season and hopefully putting us in a strong position to achieve the main objectives of being successful this campaign.

“There have been highs and lows already this season. Too many to mention with trips to Weymouth and Bracknell being fantastic days. However, some particular highs for me would be Poole Town at home, where I thought we were outstanding against a good side. Yate Town at home, as we saw everyone connected to the football club come together despite horrendous weather, and show the real potential that this football club has.

“Also, the triumph over high-flying Worthing in the FA Trophy for the true character and resilience everybody showed against a top side.

“However, it I was to pinpoint one moment it would be the beginning of that first home game against Gosport Borough, standing there as manager of this fantastic football club, that was a really proud and special moment.

“Here’s to hoping we can create more special memories together during the year ahead, starting against Evesham United on Saturday.

“Like I said from day one, we as a football club need an “all in” mentality to be successful. Let’s go above and beyond for each other and see where it takes us!”

Come and show your support! Tickets are on sale here...

We’ll have hot and cold food and drink plus a printed Matchday Programme. What’s not to love?