Cherry Red Records Hellenic League

Bicester Town groundsman Graham Savin has answered an SOS from the Premier Division's basement boys to play in goal at Fairford Town tomorrow.

The veteran goalkeeper, who has been playing for Oxford University Press this season, has agreed to help Town out with regular No 1 Steve Roberts suspended and reserve team keeper Lewis Butler on holiday.

Bicester boss Eddie Nix explained: "Graham said he would be happy to turn out for the reserves this week, but with both my keepers out of action, he will be in the first team."

Nix has also been left counting the walking wounded this week after the 5-2 victory over Chinnor in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup second round last Saturday.

Robbie Hopcroft is out with a gashed leg, and Alwyn Thompson is very doubtful with a knee injury.

Nix was fuming at what he claimed were the rough tactics employed by Chinnor.

He said: "The game was an awful one to be involved in. Some of the tackles and the off-the-ball stuff going on was disgraceful. It was just a miracle that someone didn't get more badly injured.

"I have nothing but pride for the way my players handled themselves in what was a really nasty game.

"I certainly hope we don't have to play them again - I'd almost be tempted to say I would give them the game if we draw them in the future."

But Chinnor secretary Mike Hendy defended his team's tactics, saying they played it no differently to how they would for an Oxfordshire Senior League game.

"I think it's fair to say we were a bit too physical for Bicester," he said. "But that's the way we play and have always played. Bicester got away quite lightly.

"We know how to play the pitch at Chinnor, and apart from the sending off of Richard Avery, there was nothing that the referee saw that needed action, so maybe some people ought to grow up a bit."