Oxford City manager Mike Ford says Jack Ashton has to learn from his mistake after his sending-off against Cir-encester Town or he won’t last long at Court Place Farm.
City were leading 1-0 on Saturday in control when the former Banbury United defender was dismissed for two yellow cards. They lost the game 4-1.
And Ford, whose side entertain Hemel Hempstead Town in the Premier Division on Saturday, had no qualms over the referee’s decision.
“Jack had a rash moment – well two in fact. We were so much better than them. We got a goal and should have got more, but we go down to ten men and it gave them a lift.
“The red card was fair enough. He pulled someone’s shirt and for the second booking he tried to tackle someone from behind.
“I don’t want to blame Jack for the defeat, but it was the turning point.
“We have all done silly things on the football pitch – I have no problems with that as long as people learn from it.
“It was a lack of experience. Last season Liam Malone was sent off three times, but he has matured and learned from it.”
Meanwhile, Ford said he was not worrying about their winless home league run which stretches back to March 9 – a run of 14 league games.
He added: “The players are always bright when they come in, so I don’t want them getting concerned about our home form.”
Craig McIllwain faces a late fitness test, while James Faulkner, Joe White and Adam Morris come in from Oxford City Nomads.
Didcot Town are set to give a debut to Scott Griffin at home to leaders Truro City after signing from Cirencester.
Peace said: “We have been playing well, but we’re not scoring enough goals. That’s why I have brought in Scott.
“He has scored goals at this level for most of his career. He’s 30-years-old and has a lot of experience.”
Defender Alex Stanley faces a fitness test on a knee injury.
Banbury United face a trip to Windsor & Eton.
North Leigh miss injured duo Andy McCabe and Stuart Huxley as they seek to break their home Division 1 South & West duck at home to Frome.
Gee, who gives late tests to Keiran Sanders (ankle) and Ben Reardon (knee), said: “We beat Sholing here in the FA Trophy and battered Paulton, but still ended up with a draw.
“I can’t explain why, it’s just that our best performances have been away. We tried something else against Gosport, but it didn’t work.”
Joe Burnell returns.
Abingdon United host Gosport Borough.
Didcot Tn (v Truro City, home): from Warrell, Heapy, A Williams, Gunn, M Williams, Huggins, Alexis, Osborne-Ricketts, Connolly, Bartley, Lawrence, Tabor, Costello, Stanley, Griffin, Hopkins, Draycott, Ramos. Oxford City (v Hemel Hempstead, home): from Barrett, Clarke, Ashton, Savage, McIlwain, Blossom, Lyon, Kington, Pritchard, Malone, O’Hara, Kinch, Davis, Steele, Faulkner, White, Morris. North Leigh (v Frome Tn, home): from Lonsdale, Posey, Hole, Dodds, Caton, Saunders, Helby, Redknap, Bowles, Taylor, Dunmore, Hodgkins, Futcher, Reardon, Burnell, Sanders.
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