MIDFIELDER Chris Fontaine is ruled out by a one-match ban as high-riding Thame United bid to spring an upset at Kettering Town in the FA Umbro Trophy second round tomorrow.

Fontaine is suspended due to an accumulation of bookings, and his place goes to Ricky Paul.

Thame joint manager Andy Sinnott said: "Ricky won't weaken the side at all. It has been good competition between the two of them for a place and Ricky is chomping at the bit. He won't let us down."

Thame have soared to the top of Ryman League Division 1 on the back of a tremendous run, and Sinnott believes they can carry that form on against their Conference opponents. He said: "It is a big one for the club and we couldn't go into it in better shape.

"It is a great feeling being top of the league and gives us confidence and we feel like we can take on anyone, but it will be a tough test." Sinnott saw Kettering, who have just completed the signing of prolific Cheltenham marksman Dale Watkins for £20,000, bow out of the FA Cup 2-0 at home to Wrexham in their first round replay.

"They are a very physical, strong and organised side," said Sinnott. "But we are in form and I expect us to give a good account of ourselves."

Kettering, who are managed by Peter Morris, could also include the former Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday striker Carl Shutt.

Thame Utd: from Moores, G Williams, Gascoyne, Brown, Tregurtha, Saulsbury, Perna, Paul, West, Louis, Joe, Jones, Shepherd, Mitchell, Avery, Sherwood, Beauchamp.

Oxford City will be hoping their FA Cup heroics stand them in good stead for their tie at Harrow Borough, who are struggling in the Ryman League Premier Division. Manager Paul Lee said: "They are not a bad side, but they are not one of the better Premier sides. I am hoping we can reproduce our cup form in the Trophy and not our league form."

Striker Dwaine Strong, who was rested for Tuesday's 5-1 league cup win over Marlow after his spell in hospital with an infection, is ready to return.

However, Michael Thorp remains sidelined with damaged ankle ligaments, and new signing Peter Moss is ineligible.

Oxford City: from Foster, Morrisey, Peirson, Smart, Hayward, Dark, Sweeney, Lee, Wimble, Davy, Hulbert, McCleary, Smith, Emsden, Rose, Potter.

Midfielder Simon Abercrombie is set to return to Witney Town's starting line-up for their tie at Heybridge Swifts, who are bottom of the Ryman Premier Division. Abercrombie, who was a substitute in last Saturday's 2-0 win over Sittingbourne, has now regained full fitness.

George Redknap remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Witney Tn: from Alder, Swann, Organ, Murphy, Tavinor, Abercrombie, A Flory, Caffel, Merritt, Henry, Neville, Teggart, Osmond, Waters, Ferreira, Morgan, Evans.

Abingdon Town are at home to Hertford Town in Ryman League Division 3 and three points could move them four places in the table.

Story date: Friday 26 November

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