Oxford United assistant manager Mickey Lewis believes Banbury United will provide testing opposition in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-final at Thame United’s ASM Stadium tonight (7.45).
Holders Oxford destroyed North Leigh 9-3 in the last eight, but Lewis believes Billy Jeffrey’s side will provide a sterner test.
“This will be a good game for us,” said Lewis. “We know Billy well and are expecting a competitive match from his Banbury side.”
Oxford, who field their reserves in this competition, include Ben Purkiss, Steve Kinniburgh, Alfie Potter, Asa Hall and Simon Hackney.
Banbury lie 16th in the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division, and Jeffrey’s side go into the match on the back of a 2-0 home win against Bedford Town.
Banbury, who have been beaten by Oxford in the last two finals, have doubts over Rob Maddox (illness) and Malachy Farquharsron (calf), while Jack Ashton is unavailable.
Jeffrey said: “It’s a nice break from our league programme, but obviously they’ll be a strong side, whoever they put out. We’ve got our fingers crossed over some of the injured lads that they’ll be fit.”
The winners will face Kidlington, who reached the final for the first time in their 100-year history with a 2-0 win against Carterton.
The final is at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday, April 12.
Defenders Andy Gunn and Jamie Vincent face late fitness tests as relegation-threatened Didcot Town travel to play-off hopefuls Hednesford Town in the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division.
Gunn suffered a slight hamstring strain and Vincent also picked up a knock as Didcot slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Leamington on Saturday.
In Division 1 South & West, North Leigh entertain Bridgwater Town at Eynsham Park.
The game is being re-staged following the abandonment of the match last month due to fog when North Leigh were leading 5-0 with 14 minutes left.
Michael Hopkins (dead leg) faces a fitness test, but Andy McCabe (stomach muscle) and Tom Franklin (ankle ligaments) are out.
Alfie Saunders and Brian Bowles are added to the squad.
TONIGHT’S SQUADS
Oxford Utd (v Banbury Utd, at Thame Utd): Eastwood, Purkiss, Hinchcliffe, Sangare, Kinniburgh, Potter, Hanson, Hall, Hackney, Woodley, Marsh.
Banbury Utd (v Oxford Utd): from Murrell, Farquharson, Maddox, Gordon, Learoyd, Haisley, Coleman, Benjamin, Stone, Rose, Staff, Stanbridge, McDonald, Polk.
North Leigh (v Bridgwater Tn, home): from Lonsdale, Elkins, Caton, Clark, Huxley, Hole, Dutton-Black, Futcher, Taylor, Burnell, Sanders, Hopkins, Burnell, Thorne, Saunders, Bowles.
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