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Oxford City boss Justin Merritt says his side must toughen up as they begin their Christmas programme at home to Taunton Town at Court Place Farm tomorrow.

o City, who were named team of the month for November in Division 1 South & West, were beaten 2-0 at Fleet in midweek.

Although pleased with the performance, Merritt said his team need to know how to deal with the more physical teams in the league.

He said: "There was nothing in the game on Tuesday.

"We let a goal in early on, and then they scored right at the end, but in between it was an even contest.

"Fleet were a very physical team, and did not allow us to play our football.

"We need to learn when teams are scrapping how to beat them at their own game.

"We have to match teams challenge for challenge. I'm sure there will be many tough games like that, and it's how we cope with this pressure that will determine our fate this year."

Meanwhile, Merritt says he is keen to set the record straight against Taunton after a 3-3 draw in Somerset earlier in the season.

He said: "We should have won at their place, but conceded three sloppy goals.

"We've tightened up a lot since then, and we want to put things right."

Stuart Cattell has left City after his loan spell from Wycombe ended, but Mark Avery returns to the team after illness ruled him out of the midweek game at Fleet.

Didcot Town will look to end a run of home goalless draws as they host Windsor & Eton at Loop Meadow.

After Tuesday night's match was abandoned due to a nasty injury to Burnham's Miles Norman, tomorrow's game takes on added importance as Didcot look to go into the Christmas period in touch with the leaders.

Manager Stuart Peace said: "We fully supported the decision to call Tuesday's game off. It was a horrible injury - and I understand he broke an ankle and ruptured ligaments.

"I hope to go and visit the lad in hospital to give him our best wishes."

Didcot are unchanged, with Josh Mulvany (ankle) still ruled out, although Ashley Vine may have recovered from a hamstring injury to take his place in the squad.

Peace added: "As long as we can remain there or thereabouts over Christmas, I will be more than happy."

Abingdon United welcome back Nathan Woodley from suspension for their trip to new leaders Fleet Town.

Michael Alexis (groin) is ruled out, but assistant manager Mark O'Hara is relishing the chance to play the leaders.

"Fleet will suit us down to the ground.

"They're big, strong and direct and we will play them at their own game.

"We're not going there for a point, we want to win it."

In the Premier Division, in-form Banbury United travel to Bromsgrove.

They haved moved into the top-half in recent weeks, despite missing Matt Murphy (Achilles) and Troy Bryan (hamstring).

Added to that, Andy Baird is in the middle of a three-match ban, while Ben Milner (knee) is also ruled out.

Banbury boss Kieran Sullivan said: "The squad we've had over the last few games have been doing a good job.

"But we know we have to continue working hard to stay on track."

TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS

Oxford City (v Taunton Tn, home): from Smith, Saulsbury, Gunn, Avery, Woodruffe, Gardner, Redknap, Pond, Bell, Jones, S Davis, Anya, McSporran, Stewart, Merritt.

Didcot Tn (v Windsor & Eton, home): from Watkins, Heapy, Williams, Peirson, Bicknell, Witt, Parrott, King, Powell, Jack, Bartley, Hope, Davis, Small-King, Lewis, Farrow.

Abingdon Utd (v Fleet Tn, away): from Wilkins, Cotterill, Woodley, Franklin, Organ, R Brooks, McCalmon, Herbert, Curtin, Odhiambo, Holden, Beechers, Moss, Mills, O'Hara, Carbon.

Banbury Utd (v Bromsgrove Rov, away): from Wheeler, Fuller, Kinch, Blossom, Essex, Travers, Nicholls, Feeley, Stanbridge, Stu Bridges, Ibrahim, Gordon, Scott Bridges, Gooderick, Sambrook, McKay.