Banbury United manager Billy Jeffrey says his side can still pull off the great escape from relegation from the British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division – starting with Saturday's clash with Bashley at the Spencer Stadium.
Although his side are five points from safety, Jeffrey, who takes his side to fierce rivals Brackley on Easter Monday, said it was not impossible to beat the drop.
“I think we need to win three out of our last four, or possibly all of them,” said Jeffrey.
“We are still in with a shout. Other results haven’t been kind to us, but we can’t rely on those. We just have to make sure we get three points on Saturday.
“The lads’ attitude has been first-class since I came here and they have worked really hard. I could not ask for anymore from them.”
Jeffrey said the displays of David Stone had galvanised the team.
“I have known David for many years and he has given us a spark. I am very pleased to have him on board.
“As a striker he offers us something different and is not afraid to take people on. He creates opportunities for us.”
Striker Nicky Gordon returns, though Ben Milner is suspended.
Oxford City player-manager Justin Merritt says his side have to tighten up their defending to have any chance of making the play-offs.
Merritt, whose side face a trip to Merthryr Tydfil, was delighted with his team’s attacking prowess in Tuesday’s 5-3 win against Clevedon, but not how they performed at the other end.
“It was a great result, apart from some silly defending,” said Merritt.
“We were really positive going forward, but we lacked a bit of solidarity at the back and it’s something we will be working on in training.
Merritt, whose team host Mangotsfield on Monday, added: “Merthyr are a point above us and if we can go there and get a good result, it will set us up nicely for the last five games., because there is still the possibility of reaching the play-offs.”
Meanwhile, Merritt said he expects a touchline ban after he was banished to the stand following a clash with the opposition’s bench. He said: “I’m not particularly proud of it - there was a bit of a heated discussion.”
City give a late test to James Clarke (ankle).
Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace believes his side will cement their Division 1 South & West play-off place – if they win at home to strugglers Winchester and away to Cirencester on Monday.
“If we can get maximum points from the weekend that will put us in the play-offs,” said Peace.
Didcot will be without striker Michael Bartley (hamstring) for both games.
Martin Brown should return, while Andy Williams is back from a ban.
North Leigh will be without Joe Burnell (knee injury), Jamie Jackson (thigh), Andy McCabe (suspended), Simon Futcher (away) and Jordan Parker (unavailable) for their trip to AFC Totton.
Abingdon United host Cirencester Town.
Banbury Utd (v Bashley, home): from Murrell, Stringfellow, Stanbridge, Bennett, Redknap, Haisley, Bridges, Stone, Forinton, Gardner, Blake, Buckwell, Peppiatt, Sambrook, Gordon. Oxford City (v Merthyr Tydfil, away); from Harrison, Lambert, Clarke, Gunn, Pond, Savage, Lyon, Faulkner, Faulconbridge, Baird, Bell, Ballard, Benjamin, Fisher, Malone, Williams. Abingdon Utd (v Cirencester Tn, home): from Warrell, Burton, Franklin, Peirson, Organ, Biddle, Austin, McCalmon, Beechers, Odhiambo, Janes, Herbert, Weedon, Holden, Haysham, Carnell. Didcot Tn (v Winchester, home): from Watkins, Sampson, Heapy, Williams, Powell, John, Parrott, Mortimer-Jones, Dutton-Black, King, Roach, Brown, Hopkins, Osbourne-Ricketts, McKay. North Leigh (v AFC Totton, away): from Farrow, Sadler, Helby, Hole, Huxley, Dodds, Collins, Burnell, Hope, Reardon, Allen, C Weedon, Burnley.
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