Oxford City manager Mike Ford has called on his side to be more ruthless, starting with Saturday’s Premier Division trip to Leamington.
City, who have yet to win this season, give debuts to Aaron Woodley, who has joined on loan from Oxford United, and former Evesham striker Danny Lennon.
Both played in Wednesday’s friendly against Easington Sports, which City won 3-0, with Woodley scoring one of the goals. Felipe Barcelos and triallist Saul Otobo were also on target.
“Aaron showed us what he could do. A few goals on Saturday would be nice.
“Lennon is 23 and is an experienced Southern League player, so he should be able to help Aaron.
“I have maybe been a bit too soft with the players and have let things go.
“My choice would be to pass it, but we have to play like a Southern League side. We need to fight more for the ball.
“We need to be more direct and get the ball behind their back four. We need to be more regimented – no playing off the cuff.
“I know we have a young team, but they have to grow up fast.”
City are without Liam Malone (suspended) and Andy Ballard (knee injury).
Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace has expressed his disappointment after midfielder James Mortimer-Jones joined this weekend’s opponents Cirencester Town. Ironically, Mortimer-Jones scored one of the goals as he helped knock his new side out of the FA Cup 3-2 in a replay last month.
“I didn’t want to let him go,” said Peace who gives fitness tests to Andy Gunn (foot), Michael Bartley (back) and Morgan Williams (tight calf). “But he lives in Fairford and works in Cirencester. It takes him 45 minutes to get here.”
Banbury United will be without Joe Coleman, Adam Howarth and skipper Nathan Haisley (banned) when they travel to Truro City.
Coleman and Howarth both suffered a broken foot in their 4-0 defeat by Hemel Hempstead last weekend.
Boss Billy Jeffrey said: “It sounds crazy – we played them off the park, but let in three silly goals the end.”
Jeffrey added: “Being without three key players makes it a very tough ask, but we’ll just have to roll up our sleeves and get on with it.”
Abingdon United host Almondsbury in Division 1 South & West, looking to end a run of two defeats.
Saturday's squads Oxford City (v Leamington, away): from Knight, Clarke, McIllwain, Blossom, Kinch, Ashton, Kington, Janes, Lyon, Bell, Woodley, Lennon, Faulkner, Savage.
Didcot Tn (v Cirencester, home): from Warrell, Bucknor, A Williams, Gunn, Stanley, Hopkins, Dutton-Black, Heapy, Alexis, Huggins, Draycott, Osborne-Ricketts, Bar-tley, Jones, Tabor, Witt.
Banbury Utd (v Truro City, away): fromMurrell, Stanbridge, Gordon, Learoyd, Staff, Sharif, Taylor, Martin, Benjamin, Oulton, Cray, Mbamarah, Foster, Peppiatt, Cross.
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