BANBURY United boss Mike Ford paid tribute to veteran striker Jefferson Louis, who has shattered a long-standing club record.

The 38-year-old has scored in seven successive league matches – and also netted in his side’s opening Emirates FA Cup clash.

Louis will bid to make it nine games in a row when Banbury host Hellenic League high-fliers Thatcham Town in the second qualifying round tomorrow.

But Ford is full of praise for his evergreen striker.

“Jefferson deserves all the credit for keeping himself in the peak condition he is in,” Ford said.

“He has that burning desire to train hard and play hard and to perform as he is doing.

“He loves the game, he’s a good leader and we’re delighted that he is here.”

Tony Jacques scored in the first five league games of the 1967-68 season for Banbury, but Ford has no doubt that Louis can continue his excellent form.

“He’s been up to the task so far,” Ford commented.

“Jefferson has a good bond with the other lads. I do need to look after him a bit. His age means he can’t charge around the pitch like he used to, but he’s played virtually every minute this season.

“He doesn’t look or play like he’s 38 and is desperate to continue to make a difference.”

Ford will be hoping that Banbury can bounce back from back-to-back league defeats tomorrow after winning their opening six matches.

Full back Marvin Martin should be available for the first time this season after shaking off a persistent groin and back-related injury.

Ford said: “For us, it’s quite nice to take a break from the league, especially after the last two results.

“We are still scoring goals, but we have to defend better as a team. It’s a game I can’t wait for, and hopefully we can put a few things right.

“That said, Thatcham will look at our last two results and will know that they have a chance, so we need to be on our guard.”

Banbury Utd (v Thatcham Tn, home): from Harding, Hawtin, Bradbury, Nash, Johnson, Carnell, Westbrook, Self, Louis, Howards, Shamsi, Martin, McDonagh, Winters, Pond, Peak-Pijnen, Humphreys.

Oxford City boss Mark Jones admits it has not been an easy week – but hopes tomorrow’s Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Whitehawk can provide some relief.

Summer signing Justin Bennett has been ruled out for the season, while captain Lee Henderson limped off against Weston-Super-Mare in midweek in the same match as Freddie Grant was sent off for the second time this season.

City travel to their fellow Vanarama National League South strugglers desperately hoping for a change of luck.

“It really doesn’t help that we are unable to get our best back four out,” Jones said.

“Lee picked up a dead leg, but Freddie’s red card was very ill-disciplined.

“I wasn’t at all happy about it. He made two poor tackles and it set us back and affected the dynamics of the game.”

Henderson is unlikely to be fit tomorrow, but Grant’s ban won’t take effect until next week.

Striker Bennett will miss the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with an anterior cruciate ligament injury – a massive blow for both player and manager.

“It’s a huge disappointment for Justin, and for us,” Jones said. “We wish him all the best for his recovery, but it’s likely to take some time.”

After two successive 3-3 draws, Jones says it is clear where City’s problems lie.

“We can’t keep conceding so many goals,” he said.

“We really need to look to bring in another centre half, but it’s not easy at this time of the season and within budget.

“The midweek game was great for the neutral, but for a manager, it was a nightmare with so many twists and turns.

“It’s pretty plain to see that we are conceding too many goals, and it’s an area we really need to look at.”

Oxford City (v Whitehawk, away): from Stevens, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Grant, Poku, Navarro, Henderson, Oastler, McEachran, Fleet, Paterson, Sinclair, Pearce, Forde, Henderson, Hirst, Jones.

Kidlington are hoping to have several players back from injury when they travel to Paulton Rovers in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Declan Benjamin, Eddie Odhiambo, Eric Odhiambo, Lance Williams, Lewis Coyle and Mark Janes are all in contention to return, while Sam Warrell is also back after family commitments.

However, midfielder Elliott Osborne-Ricketts serves the second of a three-match suspension.

And Ben Willoughby is also banned after seeing red in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Taunton Town.

Kidlington (v Paulton Rovers, away): from Tetek, Warrell, Quainton, Eddie Odhiambo, Wharton, Franklin, Brown, Organ, Castle, Gabbidon, Eric Odhiambo, Williams, Coyle, Benjamin, Bell, Coyle, Anaclet Odhiambo, Janes, Browne, James, Martin.