BANBURY United boss Mike Ford heaped praise on his side ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Bishops Stortford in the Evo-Stik South Premier.

Banbury have made a perfect start to the new season with three wins from three, and Ford hailed his young players, particularly after last week’s 3-0 win at Hitchin Town.

Ford said: “We were excellent. We managed the game extremely well, and we looked like a real mature team.

“Taking away the result, the performance was excellent. The experienced lads in the team helped the youngsters, who have done really well.”

However, Ford insists that tomorrow’s clash against Bishops Stortford will provide a stern test as the Hertfordshire side are still looking for their first points.

“They will be hurting,” Ford said. “They will be desperate to get some points on the board, and we will need to be on our game.

“They will fight very hard and make life tough for us.”

Darren Pond, who returned to the club from Leamington but has missed the opening two weeks of the season, is set for his return debut.

Liam Howards is unavailable tomorrow, while Jack Self (calf) and Marvin Martin (pelvis) are also ruled out.

Ford added: “At the moment, our performances have been good and we’ve picked up nine points.

“The performances are key. If we get that right, usually, the results will come.”

Banbury Utd (v Bishops Stortford, home): from Harding, Hawtin, Peake-Pijnen, Nash, Johnson, Carnell, Westbrook, Shamsi, Louis, McDonagh, Winters, Pond, Humphreys, Martin, Blackstock, Bradbury.

NORTH Leigh boss John Brough is under no illusions of the task facing his side as they look for a first win of the season.

The Millers host Salisbury City in Evo-Stik South League West tomorrow, with their rivals highly-touted for promotion.

Although North Leigh completed the double over the Wiltshire side last year, Brough knows that a tough match is in prospect.

He said: “Salisbury are rightly one of the favourites this season, and they’ve had a reasonable start.

“But that won’t change our approach. We will be positive and try and impose our game on them.”

After losing their opening fixture against Bristol Manor Farm 5-2, Brough has been pleased with the response from his team.

“We looked around the changing room for character after that first result,” he said. “But we are definitely moving in the right direction and things are starting to click together.”

Midfielder Sam Mattock is on holiday, while Michael Pook is unavailable.

Didcot Town travel to Cirencester Town with a full squad to choose from

“It will be be a tough game as they are an experienced side and have home advantage on their new 3G surface,” said manager Andy Ballard.

Kidlington will be without the suspended Tom Franklin as they host Bristol Manor Farm.

Franklin was sent off in last Saturday’s 1-0 Emirates FA Cup win against Wantage Town.

Anaclet Odhiambo is on honeymoon, while Harry Whitehead and Bojan Tetek are sidelined through injury.

In the South League East, Thame United make the trip to Hayes & Yeading United.

Goalkeeper Henry Craven is on holiday, and will be replaced by Eddie Cavanagh, while right back Harry Tucker is also away.

Boss Mark West said: “Hayes have a bit of pedigree, and have played at a higher level.“My lads know that every game at this level will be tough, but we will look to be positive and look for a win.”

North Leigh (v Salisbury City, home): from Thompson, Keightley, Welland, Paddock, Grabe, R James, D James, Wood, Stevens, Hopkins, Seacole, Waldon, Mendes, Carroll, Harris.

Didcot Tn (v Cirencester Tn, away): from Bedwell, Jeacock, McNeil, Elkins, Cattell, Learoyd, Humphries, McNish, Reid, Joyce, Woodley, Thomas, Hayden, Barder, Holloway, Ballard.

Kidlington (v Bristol Manor Farm, home): Warrell, Quainton, Wharton, Brown, Castle, Gabbidon, Tooke, Willoughby, Osborne-Ricketts, Eric Odhiambo, Benjamin, Williams, Harvey, Bell, Coyle, Eddie Odhiambo, Janes.

Thame Utd (v Hayes & Yeading, away): from Cavanagh, Mepham, Lynn, Smyth, Johnston, Sturgess, Connelly, Goss, Morris, West, Ricketts, Murray, Onokwai, Ashworth.