Zamaretto Southern League

DIDCOT Town boss Stuart Peace believes his side may have turned the corner as they look to consolidate their mid-table position in the Premier Division at home to Evesham United on Saturday.

The Railwaymen beat Leamington 5-3 in a thrilling encounter last weekend, which moved Didcot away from the relegation zone and up to 13th place in the table.

Peace said: “It was two good attacking sides last week, we were just a bit better than them going forwards.

“But we need to follow that up by picking up points over the next few games, consolidate in mid-table and then push on from there.

“Evesham are the sort of sides we should look to pick up points against.

“I know we’re not setting the world alight, but our target is to compete at this level, which we are now doing.

“If we could finish the season in mid-table, that would be the biggest achievement this club have had, and I include our FA Vase win in that.”

Stuart Bridges has left the club to join Ardley United, while Andy Williams (knee) remains sidelined.

Banbury United face a tricky trip to South Wales to take on Merthyr Tydfil.

Although Merthyr are second from bottom, they had ten points deducted at the start of the season.

Abingdon United manager Andy Slater has hailed his team’s battling qualities ahead of their home clash with Bridgwater Town.

Slater’s side could go second in Division 1 South & West with victory on Saturday.

Slater said: “Are we playing well? I'm not sure, but we are learning how to win, which is very pleasing.

“We displayed sheer hard work and guts against North Leigh in the week, and that, coupled with a bit of quality, gave us a good win.

“But Bridgwater scored eight in midweek and are a good side. We need to work just as hard if we want anything from the game.”

Billy Beechers (foot) and John Mills (back) are doubts, but Slater has signed striker Leon Gordon from Ardley.

North Leigh boss Mark Gee believes they will soon overcome their blip, which has seen them lose three league games on the trot.

Their 3-1 midweek defeat at Abingdon has seen them slip down to mid-table.

But Gee is remaining upbeat as he takes his side to struggling AFC Hayes.

He said: “We’ve conceded some sloppy goals, but have continued to create chances.

“We just need to tighten up at the back.”

Gee has been boosted by the return of defender Stuart Huxley from holiday, while Andy Caton and Joe Burnell should also be back.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Evesham Utd, home): from Trott, Heapy, Brown, Stanley, Jack, Sampson, Tabor, Stockinger, John, Hopkins, Bartley, Draycott, M Williams, Costello, Mortimer-Jones, Bruce, Bucknor.

Banbury Utd (v Merthyr Tydfil, away): from Murrell, Redknap, Martin, Milner, Learoyd, Stanbridge, Coleman, Benjamin, Forinton, Taylor, Ashton, Stringfellow, Buckwell, Bower-man.

North Leigh (v AFC Hayes, away): from Warrell, Posey, Huxley, Dodds, Allen, Futcher, Jackson, Hole, Helby, Reardon, McCabe, Taylor, Saunders, Caton, Burnell.

Abingdon Utd (v Bridgwater Tn, home): from Beames, Organ, Elkins, Peirson, Franklin, Brown, Goodrham, McCalmon, Beechers, Osborne-Ricketts, Weedon, Gordon, Mills, Faulkner, Hunt, Haysham.