Zamaretto Southern League

OXFORD City boss Mike Ford has hailed the heroics of Felipe Barcelos after his hat-trick sec-ured a 3-0 win at Stourbridge in the Premier Division in midweek.

Ford, whose side travel to Hednesford tomorrow (12. 30pm), has overseen three successive wins, which have taken City 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

And City’s boss was delighted for Barcelos, who is one of the most popular players in the dressing room.

He said: “Felipe has been like a breath of fresh air to the team.

“The lads love him to bits. He gets on with his game and works himself into the gro-und.”

Barcelos played in a forward role in the absence of Lee Steele, who missed the game to look after his grandfather, who injured himself falling off a ladder.

Ford added: “Due to unavailability, I changed the shape a bit and it worked a treat.

“With Lee missing, Felipe was up top and took his goals well.

“Stourbridge gave us the match ball and all the lads signed it for Felipe.”

Now Ford is focusing on tomorrow’s trip.

Steele returns, but Dave Savage (ankle) is doubtful.

Ford added: “We’ve been at the bottom all season, so we can’t afford to switch off.

“If any of my players think we are out of danger, they are wrong.

“I won’t be happy if any individual thinks we’re safe and decides to have a day off.”

Banbury United manager Billy Jeffrey says the one point deduction has made tomorrow’s clash with Bedford Town even more important.

Banbury lost a point for fielding an ineligible player, meaning they are just five points above the relegation zone.

Jeffrey is under no illusions about the importance of the match.

“It’s a massive game for us, especially with the point deduction,” he said.

“If we win it, it will put a bit of a gap between ourselves and the others.

“Bedford were level on points with us, but I watched them last week, and they’re a decent young side.

“We have six games left and need to win three of those. It’s still in our own hands.”

Jack Ashton is unavailable for tomorrow’s clash.

Didcot Town face a testing trip to Leamington (1pm), who occupy a play-off position.

After successive defeats against Truro and Hemel Hempstead, Didcot are a point above the drop zone.

Boss Ady Williams said: “Results have gone against us recently, but our performances have been fine.

“We will play with no fear, and will look to get amongst them.”

Oxford City (v Hednesford Tn, away): from White, Blossom, Clarke, Peirson, Organ, Martin, Ballard, Malone, Savage, Lyon, Anderson, Barcelos, Steele, Hughes.

Banbury Utd (v Bedford Tn, home): from Murrell, Learoyd, McDonald, Benjamin, Gordon, Coleman, Haisley, Staff, Farquharson, Stanbridge, Rose, Stone, Maddox, Foster.

Didcot Town (v Leamington, away): from Warrell, M Williams, Stanley, Vincent, Gunn, Alexis, Heapy, Tabor, Lawrence, Osbourne-Ricketts, Bartley, Castello, Mutero.