The decision of Didcot Town captain Gareth Thomas to join Abingdon United has certainly spiced up the Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West derby clash between the clubs at Northcourt Road on Boxing Day.

Didcot boss Gary Elkins accused Thomas of jumping ship, following a recent poor run that seen the Railwaymen slip into the bottom two. Abingdon manager Richie Bourne said he was delighted to sign the defender, who was due to make his debut at home to Tiverton Town on Saturday.

But that match, like Didcot’s trip to Yate Town and the bulk of the league programme, was washed out by heavy rain.

So, intrigingly, Thomas’s first game will be against his old club, who will be keen to show that they can cope without him.

Meanwhile, North Leigh, whose match at Bishops Cleeve was another victim of the weather, are home to leaders Hungerford Town, who won 2-0 at home to Bridgwater on Saturday to go two points clear of the field.