Zamaretto Southern League

OXFORD City boss Mike Ford says that continuing to train through the snow has given them the edge in their bid for the play-offs.

City travel to struggling Tiverton Town tomorrow in the Premier Division, and Ford says although the enforced break stopped many clubs from training, his players continued to do so.

And that showed on Tuesday with their 2-0 win over Hednesford Town.

He said: “I was insistent that we trained through the snow,” he said. “ I would like to think it went a long way to getting us the points on Tuesday.

“I wasn’t sure how the players would react, but they did really well. We were very professional and worked hard.”

Ford says he is now fully focused on their play-off push.

“We need to gain a bit of momentum now,” he said. “The whole season has been a bit stop-start, and we’ve not had a decent run of results yet.

“But we have put down a marker on Tuesday, and my players must keep their foot on the pedal now.”

Richard Knight is still ruled out for City, while Liam Malone is suspended.

Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace says the season starts now as his side host Bedford Town at Loop Meadow.

Didcot beat Clanfield 7-0 in a hastily-arranged friendly in midweek – their first action since Boxing Day.

Peace said: “It was a useful run-out and despite the score, Clanfield worked hard.

“It was just good to get a game under our belts and it served its purpose.”

The break has enabled Didcot to return to full strength, with only Alex Stanley (suspended) missing.

Peace said: “I’ve told the players we are starting the season now. It will take a game or two to get back to full fitness, but Bedford will be in the same boat as us.”

Banbury United boss Billy Jeffrey welcomes his old team Rugby Town to Spencer Stadium.

Banbury lost 3-0 at home to runaway leaders Farnborough in midweek, but now host the bottom side, who have won just once all season.

But Jeffrey, who spent two and a half seasons at Rugby, said: “Although they are bottom, they did win their last game against Clevedon.”

Jeffrey names an unchanged squad.

In Division 1 South & West, North Leigh have the sternest of tests when they take on unbeaten leaders Windsor & Eton at Eynsham Park.

North Leigh, who have not played since Boxing Day, will be without striker Matty Taylor, who suffered a dead leg while training with friends on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Sam Warrell also misses out as he serves a suspension.

Abingdon United travel to Thatcham Town.

TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS

Oxford City (v Tiverton Tn, away): from Puddy, Ballard, Clarke, Gunn, Perpetuini, Davis, Lyon, Bell, Savage, Emery, Janes, Douglas, Steele, Brooks.

Didcot Tn (v Bedford Tn, home): from Trott, Sampson, Heapy, A Williams, Hopkins, John, Alexis, Mortimer-Jones, Dutton-Black, Draycott, Bartley, Costello, Brown, M Williams, Tabor, Bruce.

Banbury Utd (v Rugby Tn, home): from Murrell, Learoyd, Milner, Martin, Coleman, Stanbridge, Haisley, Redknap, Benjamin, Ashton, Stone, Shariff, Taylor, McDonald, Baldwin.

North Leigh (v Windsor & E, home): from Lonsdale, Jackson, Huxley, Dodds, Caton, Futcher, Hole, Posey, Saunders, McCabe, Reardon, Allen, Burnell, Helby.

Abingdon Utd (v Thatcham, away): fromBeames, Brown, Organ, Peirson, Franklin, McCalmon, Beechers, Mills, Faulkner, Weedon, Christodoulou, Elkins, Goodrham.