Oxford City boss Mike Ford has questioned the attitude of some of his players after they went down to a 2-0 defeat away to Chesham in midweek.

And he has demanded a much-improved display when his injury-weakened side travel to Weymouth in Saturday's Premier Division clash.

City will be without Andy Ballard, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the first half against Chesham, Jack Ashton, who had a recurrence of a knee injury, and fellow new signing Craig McIllwain, who injured a thigh minutes into his debut last Saturday against Bedford.

But Ford has refused to blame his side’s poor showing on injuries.

“On Saturday against Bedford I thought we played well and we were unlucky not to win the game,” said Ford, who hopes to sign two defenders in time for the Weymouth game.

“But in the second game we were as bad as we were good against Chesham. We just did not turn up.

“We didn’t go along with the right attitude and weren’t prepared to battle and scrap which you have to do to win games in this league. I was very disappointed and it really was men against boys.

“We have to address the problems and we will be much better on Saturday.”

He added: “It’s a bad blow to lose Andy because he has been our best player in pre-season and the two games so far.

“He really wants to play for us and took a pay cut in the summer to stay. We don’t know how long he will be out, but several weeks at least.

“It’s been a nightmare with injuries. I lose my centre half within seven minutes of his debut, then Andy gets injured and then Jack re-injures himself.

“It’s one of the ups and downs of being a manager, but you have to get on with it.”

Banbury United manager Billy Jeffrey says he won’t hesitate to make changes ahead of the visit of Tiverton Town following Tuesday’s 4-0 home defeat against Hednesford.

Jeffrey was appalled by his side’s defending against the Midlanders.

He said: “I know they are a good side, but you can’t afford to hand them goals.

“The first one came from a free-kick on the halfway line and Joe Murrell has come out to punch it and completely missed it. We also gave away some crazy goals in the second half.

“But I’m not blaming Joe – we have to defend better as a team and stop giving away silly free-kicks.

“But I will be making changes. If we want to compete at the top of the division you have to be fully fit.

“Some of our lads did not take pre-season seriously and really players should be champing at the bit now.

“Some of the lads that are behind in fitness wil have to do a bit extra.We need to be firing on all cylinders – quickly.”

Didcot Town manager Stuart Peace has hailed the capture of Richard Witt after he re-signed from Hungerford.

The midfielder makes his return debut for the trip to Bashley where Didcot aim for their first points after losing the first two games.

“It’s great to have him back because he is a good player,” said the Railwaymen’s boss.

Peace, who has an injury doubt over Michael Alexis (dead leg) added: “We have to do some hard work, otherwise we’ll be chasing teams before the season has barely started.

“If I knew why we have started so poorly then I would be a magician.”

Meanwhile, summer signing Riccardo Cannon has been released. “He wasn’t part of my plans,” added Peace.

Saturday's squads Oxford City (v Weymouth, away): from R Knight, Clarke, Kinch, J Knight, Malone, Sandy, Savage, Beechers, Jones, Holman, Faulkner, Barcelo.

Banbury Utd (v Tiverton, away): from Murrell, Gordon, Howarth, Cray, Learoyd, Martin, Coleman, Benjamin, Taylor, Haisley, Stanbridge, Staff, Oulton, Foster, Cross.

Didcot Tn (v Bashley, away): from Bucknor, Warrell, Heapy, Gunn, A Williams, Stanley, Hopkins, Witt, Alexis, Mortimer-Jones, Huggins, Bartley, M Williams, Osbourne-Ricketts, Halls.