Wantage Town manager Gary Ackling says he will take a below-par display from his Southern League Division 1 South & West side, if they grind out a win at home to Sholing tomorrow.

While he has been largely pleased with the way his charges have been playing, he says it is critical they start putting some victories together.

“We are desperate for a win,” said Ackling.

“We face Sholing, Shortwood and Bashley in our next three games and it’s vital we get something from those.

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“Last season, we won some games when we didn’t deserve to, but we knew how to get a result. That’s why we won the Hellenic League.

“This season we have played well and ended up getting beat, so I’d settle for a rubbish performance and a 1-0 win.”

Wantage will give a debut to Oxford City loanee Bidemi Afolabi, if the paperwork is signed in time.

Adam Lovegrove is added to the squad after joining from Oxford City Nomads. Their only doubt is Jack Smith.

North Leigh boss Mark Gee believes that patience is needed with Jamie Cook.

The capture from Oxford City, made his debut in the 2-1 win against Yate Town, before being replaced on 66 minutes and Gee says it will take time before they see Cook at his best.

“He didn’t look as sharp as he has done in training, but that was his first game for several months,” said Gee.

“There is nothing like playing, so there’s more to come from Jamie.”

North Leigh are without Elliott Osborne-Ricketts (suspended) and Zak Westlake (away), but Brian Bowles returns to the squad.

Didcot Town joint-manager Ian Concannon says there is more to their side than 17-goal striker John Mills.

He said: “Millsy has got the plaudits for his goals and rightly, but other players have made a difference for us.

“People like James Organ, Adam Learoyd and Luke Carnell – they have formed a good partnership at the back – Jack Self, Pablo Haysham and other players that are doing well. We are second and it’s been a team effort.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Brooks could play a part away to Tiverton Town.

The striker, who has been out with a hamstring injury, came through Tuesday’s Berks & Bucks Cup tie against Maidenhead United unscathed.

Sam Elkins starts the first of a three-match ban.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Wantage Tn (v Sholing, home): from Farrow, Tucker, Sadler, Smith, Steedman, Casana, Johns, Lachacz, Barder, Shaw, Melledew, Riccio, Pearce, Reid, Lovegrove, Guy, Deabill, Afolabi.

Didcot Tn (v Tiverton Tn, away): from Foster, Carnell, Learoyd, Organ, Baines, McKirnan, Self, Haysham, Longford, Mills, Bernasconi, Heapy, Whitehead, Clark, Brooks.

North Leigh (v Merthyr Tn, away): from Bulman, Else, Hopkins, Turk, Gunn, Hole, Caton, McNish, Ingram, Williams, A Woodley, Sanders, M Woodley, Seacole, Hughes, Gee, Eadle, Bowles.

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