CALOR LEAGUE

Banbury United manager Edwin Stein praised returning midfielder Albi Skendi ahead of his side’s bid for a fourth successive win as Poole Town visit Spencer Stadium in the Premier Division tomorrow, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Skendi rejoined the Puritans from Oxford City a fortnight ago, and Stein said the Albanian midfielder has made an instant impact.

“He’s made a massive difference to the club,” said Stein.

“He played 90 minutes at Redditch without training at all after being out for six weeks with a metatarsal injury and he was outstanding.

“He’s raised the confidence of everyone on the pitch and also all the fans and everyone behind the scenes.

“He’s an exceptional talent and he could go a lot higher, but he just needs to be playing regularly somewhere.”

Banbury moved into the play-off places with a 3-0 win over Bedford Town on Tuesday, the first time they have recorded back-to-back clean sheets all season.

Stein added: “We’ve really applied ourselves and focused on being better defensively.”

Didcot Town joint manager Ian Concannon admitted debutant goalkeeper Alex Williams has given him and fellow boss Jamie Heapy a selection headache ahead of their home game against Merthyr Town in Division 1 South & West.

Regular keeper Kieran Beesley missed last week’s goalless draw at Bridgwater Town with a foot injury and has been unable to train, but Williams stepped in to help the Railwaymen to their first away shut-out of the season.

“He did very well and he’s done his chances no harm for this week,” said Concannon.

“If he gets the nod it’s definitely justified because he was excellent on Saturday.”

Beesley faces a fitness test, while Heapy (knee) remains sidelined.

However, Didcot are boosted by the return of Taylor Janes, Nick Thorne and Lance Williams from injury, while Kameron Abbassi is available again.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Banbury Utd (v Poole Tn, home): from Bedwell, Cray, Mbamarah, Pinto, Simpson, Blossom, Ryan, Lawless, Martin, Skendi, Isaac, Talabi, Dumbleton, Abrahams, McNulty, Mtandari.

Didcot Tn (v Merthyr Tn, home): from Beesley, A Williams, L Williams, Elkins, Carnell, S Parish, Janes, Whitehead, McKirnan, Longford, Baines, Haysham, Mills, Thomas, J Parish, Abbassi, Janes, Thorne.