DECLAN Benjamin has joined Ardley United after his surprise exit from Didcot Town.

The Railwaymen travel to high-flying Taunton Town tomorrow in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West, but will do so without the former Oxford City midfielder.

Benjamin’s arrival was a big coup for Didcot earlier this season, but he has fallen out of favour in recent weeks.

“He’s a great lad and a great player with great ability, but Callum McNish and Oli Thomas have been brilliant in midfield lately,” said player-manager Andy Ballard.

“With the form they’re in I just couldn’t guarantee him a starting place.”

George Jeacock misses out through suspension after marking his return to the club with a red card in last week’s 1-0 defeat to Salisbury.

Goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell also saw red and will be replaced between the sticks by Harry Whitehead – son of former Oxford United keeper Phil.

Defender James Organ is unavailable.

Wantage Town have signed former Kidlington defender Charlie Wise ahead of their home fixture against Barnstaple Town.

The Alfredians are bottom of the table and 11 points from safety.

However, manager Ben Sadler believes the new arrival could help turn the tide for his side.

He said: “It was just a case of the right player becoming available at the right time.

“Charlie’s a big defender and he talks a lot, which is what we’ve been missing.

“I think the squad now is the strongest it has been all season.”

Callum Preece, Mark Burton and Jared Jones return to the squad, but Harvey Scholes (ankle) and Todd Hathaway (unavailable) miss out.

North Leigh look to shake off the frustration of recent postponements as they entertain Winchester City.

Last weekend’s trip to Shortwood United was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, as was Tuesday’s home clash with Barnstaple Town, leaving manager John Brough disappointed.

He said: “At training this week you could see the frustration in the players, because they just want to go out there and play.

“I’m hopeful that our game this weekend will go ahead, they’ll remember that frustration and take it out on the opposition with a really good performance.”

The Millers lost winger Bradley Gray to Evesham United this week, while Jon Else is suspended.

The displays of fringe players in the last week has given Banbury United boss Mike Ford food for thought when they travel to Biggleswade Town in the Premier Division.

With back-to-back victories from the last two games, and with key players rested, the Puritans boss believes his squad have proven their strength in depth.

“The lads who’ve come in have done very, very well in the last two games,” he said.

“We’ve scored five goals and kept two clean sheets.

“I expect the whole squad to be fresh as daisies and we have a great opportunity to continue our run.”

Jacob Blackstock (international duty) is Banbury’s only absentee.

Kidlington are unchanged from the side beaten 5-1 by Oxford United in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup on Wednesday as they host Kempston Rovers in Division 1 Central.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Taunton Tn, away): from H Whitehead, Ballard, Learoyd, Collins, Keeble, Barder, Tanner, Lovegrove, Thomas, Elkins, Joyce, McNish, Janes, Thorne, B Whitehead, Tatford, Cattell, Andrady, Hoskins.

Wantage Tn (v Barnstaple Tn, home): from Cavanagh, Thompson, Kalakoutis, Francis, Elliott, Butler, Burton, Broad, Halls, Jones, Glover, Brown, Robinson, D Sadler, McNeil, McKeon, Austin, Wood, Shamsi, Preece, Hunte, Mason, Youngsam, Powell, Wise.

North Leigh (v Winchester City, home): from Thompson, White, Fawke, Murphy, Hole, Hopkins, M Williams, L Williams, R James, D James, Wrona, Cook, Lymn, Wellon, Sysum, Seacole, Agboola.

Banbury Utd (v Biggleswade Tn, away): from Harding, Gunn, White, Nash, Odhiambo, Westbrook, Martin, Bell, Browne, Self, McEachran, Sambrook, Rimmer, Davies, McDonagh, Carnell, Humphreys, Ofosu, Smith, Bradbury, Johnson, Keranovic.

Kidlington (v Kemptston Rov, home): from Warrell, Tetek, Flanagan, Willoughby, Quainton, Franklin, Castle, Coyle, Osborne-Rickets, Gabbidon, E Odhiambo, A Odhiambo, Brooks, Dunmall, Owen, Janes.