ANDY Ballard is hoping Didcot Town’s 4-0 win over Winchester on Tuesday night can give his side a big lift ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Highworth Town in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The first victory of the season came despite their player-manager seeing red for two yellow cards after just 13 minutes.

“They were two stupid bookings,” he admitted.

“I got tempted into the first one and then jumped with my arms in the air and eyes shut. When the ball hit my arm I suppose the referee had no choice.”

Ballard’s suspension does not start until next week meaning he can play, with Harry Beer, Marvin Martin and Jack Longford also back in the squad.

However, Declan Benjamin and James Organ are both unavailable.

Didcot enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run last season, reaching the first round proper when they faced Exeter City live on television.

Their boss is hoping for another run.

“Although they are a league below we cannot take them for granted,” Ballard said. “Being in the hat for the next round is crucial for a club like us.”

John Brough is calling on his North Leigh side to cut out the silly defensive errors ahead of their trip to Thame United.

The Millers have lost their last two matches having started the season with back-to-back victories.

“We haven’t really got going until the final 15 minutes in the last two matches,” he said.

“And in both games we have given away silly goals and we have been working hard in training to stop that.”

Lance Williams is making progress from his quad injury but is unlikely to be risked, while Morgan Williams is struggling with a calf problem which could mean a start for Roger James.

“Roger has come on in both games and scored in one so has staked a claim to start,” Brough said.

“Thame are in good form with five wins from five and have scored lots of goals so we have to be totally focused.”

Wantage Town boss Stuart Cattell is hoping his side can take confidence from their first point of the season when they host Hanworth Villa.

A 1-1 draw with Evesham United on Tuesday got Town off the mark for the campaign.

With four players back in the squad for tomorrow’s clash, Cattell is hoping for more of the same.

“We have played relatively well in our opening matches, and I have been a little miffed we have not got more out of them,” he said.

“But we are up and running now and hopefully can produce another decent display,” he said.

“If the players can’t get themselves up for the FA Cup then they shouldn’t be playing.”

Tom Butler (honeymoon), Harry Broad (holiday), Mason Thompson (heel) and Harry Halls (hamstring) all come into the squad.

Elliott Powell is 50-50 with a groin problem, but Aaron Oakley is out after injuring ankle ligaments in training.

Kidlington welcome back Lewis Brownhill and Ben Fitzmartin for their trip to North Greenford United.

Boss Martin Wilkinson also adds wide man Ravin Shamsi and defender Charlie Wise to their squad after the duo signed this week.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Highworth Tn, away): Bedwell, Elkins, Organ, Benjamin, Ballard, Learoyd, Barder, Collins, Keeble, Whitehead, Reid, Jones, Powell, Brooks, Tanner Lovegrove.

North Leigh (v Thame, away) Thompson, Platt, Steedman, Turk, White, Hole, Odhiambo, Osborne-Ricketts, Woodley, Cook, A Woodley, M Williams, McNish, R James, D James, J Murphy, Seacole.

Wantage Tn (v Hanworth Villa, home): Cavanagh, Cattell, Elliott, McNeil, Glover, Robinson, Halls, Kalakoutis, Powell, Hathaway, Francis, Jones, Ferris, Thompson, Butler, Broad.

Kidlington (v North Greenford, away): Warrell, Franklin, McGowan, Wise, Brownhill, Fitzmartin, Castle, Cassettari, Willoughby, McCarthy, Coyle, Dunmall, Thomas, Harvey, Smith, Shamsi, Wise.