Oxford City player-boss Justin Merritt has told his players to ignore Hemel Hempstead’s bad run when they travel to the Hertfordshire side in the British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division on Saturday.
Although Hemel have hit some indifferent form, Merritt says it is vital that his players, who have won five of their last six games – are focused.
“Hemel are four points ahead of us and it’s one where we want to get a positive result,” said Merritt.
“They have had a few bad results recently, but if we don’t approach things the right way, we won’t get anything from the game.
“They have some very good players. Sometimes when you have a break you need to refocus.
“We won at Farnborough and put on a good performance. But that was weeks ago.
“After the snow, it’s a case of starting again and getting back on a good run.”
Ryan Harrison is out with a thigh muscle strain, so ex-Wycombe keeper Steve Williams, who helped Lewes to promotion to the Blue Square Premier last season, makes his debut.
Oxford-born Williams was due to make his bow against Clevedon on Tuesday, but that was called off due to the arctic weather conditions at Court Place Farm.
Jamie Brooks (knee) and Darren Pond (thigh) miss out.
Banbury United are hoping a special Valentine’s Day promotion, where women get in for free, will help draw a bumper crowd for the visit of Evesham United.
In addition, Banbury are allowing fans of Premier League, Conference and Football League clubs, to get in for half-price, on production of a season-ticket.
Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace says his side must get more clinical in front of goal – starting with their Division 1 South & West visit to Burnham The Railwaymen have not won for four games, but Peace feels there is not much wrong with his play-off chasers, who give a debut to new signing Philip John.
Peace said: “We are creating numerous chances, but we aren’t putting them away.
“We lost 1-0 at Taunton, but they barely got into our half. We hit the woodwork twice.
“We need the ball to go in off someone’s backside and we’ll be okay.
“It’s just not happening for us at the moment.”
Didcot will be without Paul Powell and Ian Sampson who are both suspended.
North Leigh will be without the suspended duo of Joe Burnell and Ben Reardon for their trip to second place Windsor & Eton.
Also missing is Paul Cooper who is away on a three-month tour of New Zealand, though skipper Stuart Huxley returns from holiday and Mark Simms is back after injury.
Abingdon United host Bishops Cleeve.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here