Mike Ford said the pressure was now off Oxford City after being drawn away to Eastleigh in the FA Cup’s third qualifying round.

City’s boss was fairly happy with the trip to Blue Square South club on Saturday, October 15, which follows their 3-1 victory at Thame United.

“In the previous two rounds, the draw meant that we were very firm favourites to go through,” said Ford.

“That heaped a lot of pressure on us, which we coped with reasonably well.

“The shoe is on the other foot now. Eastleigh are a league above.

“All expectations are, and will be, that they will progress, especially at home.”

City, however, sit second in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division, having not lost since August and also beat Eastleigh 2-0 in pre-season.

City were due to play Weymouth in the league tonight, but the match has been postponed as their opponents have an FA Cup replay against Hungerford.

New Didcot Town boss Dave Mudge will bank on youth as he tries to rebuild the club following the exodus of five players last week.

Craig Faulconbridge, Sam Tucker, Rayner Da Silva, Ramos Pereira and Fred Ajani left after Mudge took charge of the Evo-Stik Southern League club following the departure of Francis Vines.

“The way forward is through our youngsters,” said Mudge on the eve of tonight’s Division 1 South & West trip to Halesowen.

Alex Stanley, Richard Peirson, Kevin Halliday and Josh Millar face fitness tests after picking up knocks in the 1-1 draw at Mangotsfield United on Saturday.

“I’m also hoping to make a couple of signings to boost the depleted squad,” revealed Mudge.

Striker Andy McCabe faces a late fitness test on a groin strain as North Leigh take on Cinderford Town at Eynsham Park.

McCabe scored both North Leigh goals before Mark Gee’s side collapsed in the last 20 minutes to lose 3-2 at home to Bridgwater Town on Saturday.

Gee admitted: “It was three points thrown away really.”

Tom Roberts is at university in Liverpool, while there is a doubt over Joe Burnell due to work commitments.

Banbury United bid to end a run of three defeats when they visit high-riding Stourbridge in the Premier Division.

TONIGHT’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Halesowen, away): from Beames, Heapy, Halliday, Peirson, Henderson, Stanley, Millar, Legg, Howell, Seaward, Concannon, Charles, Lynch.

North Leigh (v Cinderford Tn, home): from Warrell, Parish, Flanagan, Osborne-Ricketts, Hole, Organ, Bowles, Sanders, Caton, McCabe, Hopkins, Mills, Deabill, Williams, Burnell.