NORTH Leigh boss John Brough believes he’s found the man to shore up his side’s defence after poaching centre-back Matt Sysum from Evesham United.

The former Evesham captain made his debut for the Millers as they returned to winning ways in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West with a 2-1 triumph at Winchester City on Wednesday night, courtesy of an Aaron Woodley brace.

The new man is unavailable for tomorrow’s trip to struggling AFC Totton, but Brough believes he will prove to be invaluable this season.

“He’s an uncompromising centre back, which is just what we needed, because we’ve lacked a bit of grit at the back,” Brough said.

“It’s something we’ve identified as a weakness and when Matt became available we were very keen to bring him here.”

North Leigh are also without the injured Morgan Williams (knee), Conor Thompson (hamstring) and James Murphy (toe), but welcome back Bradley Gray and Jon Steedman.

However, Eric Odhiambo and Callum McNish have left the club.

Odhiambo is expected to join Kidlington once he has completed his four-match suspension, while McNish is searching for a new club.

Didcot Town are one of several clubs said to be interested in the former Southampton trainee and are hopeful of adding to the squad ahead of their home clash with Paulton Rovers.

Player-manager Andy Ballard has overseen a transformation of his side’s fortunes in recent weeks, with the Railwaymen unbeaten in four matches.

“We’re playing really well at the moment and we just want to keep that going,” he said.

“We’ve certainly turned a corner and we’re finally starting to put in the kind of performances we’ve always been capable of.”

“I think the Hereford result (a 2-2 draw) was the catalyst, because we proved we could get results in this league and that has given everyone belief.”

Defender Harry Beer is unavailable for selection and Jordy Mulvany has returned to parent club Oxford City Nomads, while Jack Longford is also out after aggravating a knee injury.

Wantage Town will look to pick up where they left off at home to Bideford after claiming their first league win over the season with a 3-2 triumph at Bridgwater Town last week.

Todd Hathaway and Jared Jones are both unavailable and Adam Doyle (knee), Jake Johns (groin) and Tai Hulbert-Thomas (hernia) are injured, but the Alfredians welcome back Elliott Powell and Tom Butler.

Player-manager Stuart Cattell was delighted to see his side off the bottom of the table, saying: “Psychologically it’s a nice bonus.

“Now we can start to look up and hopefully catch up with the teams above us.

“It was important that we got that win, both in terms of our league campaign but also for the team themselves.”

In Division 1 Central, Kidlington travel to high-flying Farnborough without the injured Ben Willoughby (ankle), Kristian Thomas (knee), Charlie Wise (ankle) and Ben Weedon (hamstring).

Mark Janes is also a doubt after picking up a groin injury, while Michael Alexis is unavailable.

The Greens extended their unbeaten league run to four games with a 3-1 home victory over Barton Rovers last week.

But manager Julian McCalmon admitted that record is under threat as his side follow up tomorrow’s trip to second-placed Farnborough with difficult fixtures against third-placed Marlow and league leaders Royston Town.

“The next three games I regard as probably the most difficult of the season,” he said.

“It’s a real test of character for us as a squad, but it’s a great chance to see where we stand compared to the best teams in the division.

“We want to test ourselves against the best because that will bring the best out of us.”

Manager Mike Ford has a full squad to choose from as Banbury United look to continue their three-match winning streak in the Premier Division away to King’s Lynn Town.

Ford picked the same starting XI for each of those matches and with the Puritans winning all of them, could be poised to stick with a winning formula.

He said: “I wouldn’t look too far beyond the team I’ve picked for the last few games, because they’ve performed well and they’ve got results.”

“It’s up to the players to keep their place in their side, because if they don’t perform they’ll be out.

“But when they are performing, they deserve to keep their place”

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

North Leigh (v AFC Totton, away): from Thompson, Platt, Turk, White, Hopkins, Hole, L Williams, R James, D James, Gray, Seacole, A Woodley, M Woodley, Steedman, Fawke, Wrona, Agboola, Cook.

Didcot Tn (v Paulton Rov, home): from Bedwell, Organ, Barder, Ballard, Collins, Keeble, Whitehead, Graham, Powell, Tanner, Lovegrove, Thomas, Janes, Barney, Elkins, Davis, Joyce, Thorne.

Wantage Tn (v Bideford, home): from Cavanagh, Thompson, McNeil, Cattell, Kalakoutis, Burton, Francis, Elliott, Ferris, Powell, Butler, Broad, Halls, Scholes, Robinson, Glover, Brown, Sadler.

Kidlington (v Farnborough, away): from Warrell, Tetek, C Weedon, Franklin, Owen, Flanagan, Gabbidon, Osborne-Ricketts, Quainton, Castle, Dunmall, Coyle, A Odhiambo, Brooks, Harvey, Janes.

Banbury Utd (v Cirencester Tn, away): from Harding, Gunn, White, Nash, Odhiambo, Westbrook, Martin, Bell, Browne, Self, McEachran, Johnson, Sambrook, Rimmer, Davies, Jeacock, McDonagh, Blackstock, Carnell.