Oxford City manager Justin Merritt says he will not be drawn on a potential play-off push, despite their fabulous run of form in the BGB Southern League Premier Division.
City produced a superb display to win 2-0 at runaway leaders Farnborough on Saturday – a result which puts City just seven points away from the play-offs with games in hand.
But although Merritt was delighted with his team’s performance, he played down their play-off chances, and says he is just focusing on beating Brackley Town tonight.
Merritt said: “It was a good display on Saturday, not only the result, but the manner in which we played.
“Farnborough hardly had a shot on goal, except one right at the end which hit a post.
“We worked hard as a team and closed them down to snuff out any chances they might have had, and we had two or three more decent chances to win by more goals.”
Merritt said that some of his players are starting to talk about a possible play-off berth, but he insists he is taking it one game at a time.
“We’re in a rich vein of form, and we’ve won five out of our last six games.
“But tonight’s game at Brackley is all I’m thinking about if we can get it on.
“Not only are we scoring goals, but we are conceding very few, and that’s the sign of a good team.”
Tonight’s game could be a doubt because of the snowfall that has swept the country, but Merritt says his team will be ready for the challenge, if it goes ahead.
“Brackley are just above us, and then we have Chippenham on Saturday.
“The lads are full of confidence, but I’m still looking below us at the moment.
“It was only a month ago that we were looking over our shoulders, so things can change quickly.
“But we picked up 15 points in January, and we’ve beaten some of the top teams in the league, so it’s looking good.”
Keeper Ryan Harrison is a doubt, after he picked up a thigh strain at Farnborough.
Steve Williams, the former Wycombe Wanderers keeper is poised to sign as cover.
The only other injury problem is Darren Pond, who will be out with a calf strain.
Abingdon United face a home clash with Division 1 South & West title-chasers Windsor & Eton at Northcourt Road.
Oxford City (v Brackley Tn, away): from Harrison or Williams, Lambert, Ballard, Gunn, Baird, Malone, Savage, Davis, Brooks, Lyon, Faulkner, Faulconbridge, Fisher, Carbon, Merritt.
Abingdon Utd (v Windsor & Eton, home): from Warrell, Burton, Janes, Peirson, Davis, Franklin, Organ, Weedon, Austin, Biddle, Benjamin, Herbert, Beechers, Holden, Odhiambo, Haysham.
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