JULIAN McCalmon has pledged to restore Kidlington’s confidence after being appointed manager.

McCalmon served as assistant to Martin Wilkinson last season as the Greens stormed to promotion from the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division, but left for a similar role at rivals Marlow during the summer.

Wilkinson resigned as Kidlington manager last month following a difficult start to life in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 Central.

And McCalmon had no hesitation returning to help Kidlington move away from the foot of the table.

He said: “I didn’t really want to leave the club in the summer, but I had a few differences of opinion with the manager at the time and thought it would be best to go.

“Marlow gave me a chance to stay in football and I’m really indebted to them for that.”

McCalmon’s first priority is to recapture the positive attitude of last season, starting on Saturday at home to Fleet Town.

“I think all that’s really lacking at the moment is a bit of self-belief,” he said.

“We concede a goal and then heads go down.

“At the end of the day, this is a hobby and it’s important that they go out there and enjoy it.”

Jermaine McSporran, who took temporary charge of the side before McCalmon’s appointment, will take charge again this weekend before resuming his duties as assistant manager.

McCalmon’s first act has been to bring back centre back Henry Owen, while captain Tom Franklin and midfielder Lewis Brownhill have turned down approaches from other clubs to remain with the Greens.

In Division 1 South & West, Didcot Town are without the services of forward Jordan Graham for their trip to second-placed Tiverton Town.

Injury concerns have led to the 18-year-old’s recall by Oxford United, where Graham signed his first professional contract yesterday, although the terms of his loan mean he can return to Didcot after this weekend.

The loss of an attacker comes as unwelcome news to player-manager Andy Ballard, who has called on his strikers to improve their hit-rate.

“We need the front three to score some goals,” he said.

“We’ve focused a lot on making ourselves more difficult to beat, which inevitably means that you take something away from your attacking threat.

“I feel that we’ve sorted out the defensive side a little bit now, so we need to start scoring some goals.”

Injury rules out midfielders Ryan Barney (knee) and Nick Thorne (dead leg).

Meanwhile, Wantage Town are still seeking their first league victory of the season as they entertain fellow strugglers Yate Town.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Kidlington (v Fleet Tn, home): from Tetek, Warrell, Brownhill, C Weedon, Jones, B Weedon, Franklin, McCarthy, Quainton, Willoughby, Castle, Shamsi, Coyle, Thomas, Harvey, Dunmall, Joyce.

Didcot Tn (v Tiverton Tn, away): from Bedwell, Organ, Benjamin, Longford, Carnell, Learoyd, Barder, Collins, Keeble, Whitehead, Reid, Jones, Powell, Brooks, Tanner, Lovegrove.