BANBURY United boss Mike Ford has backed Ravi Shamsi to learn from the ignominy of his midweek red card when the Puritans complete a trilogy of fixtures against Tiverton Town tomorrow.

The youngster was sent off for a stamp on Tuesday in Banbury’s FA Trophy replay victory, an incident which led Shamsi to take to social media to apologise for his indiscretion.

The teams lock horns for a third time in eight days in the Evo-Stik South League Premier Division tomorrow, with Ford expecting the dismissal to prevoke a reaction from the talented midfielder, whose suspension starts next week.

“Ravi is a young player and he’s been great for us,” he said.

“The incident was not great, but if the sending off enables him to become a better and more mature footballer, then it will all help his development.”

Ford added: “He may have apologised to his teammates and on Twitter, but to me, his apology will be how he performs on Saturday.”

Banbury fought back from being both a man and a goal down to win 3-2 after extra time in midweek, and they have now dumped the Devon outfit out of both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy this season.

But Ford, who yesterday signed Jordy Ngathe, is taking nothing for granted tomorrow.

“Because of Ravi’s sending off, the game did not peter out, and a by-product of that was my lads put on a superb performance and got Ravi off the hook to a certain extent,” he said.

“But if I was in the Tiverton camp, I’d be hurting. They will be absolutely determined to get something from us tomorrow.

“I’ve never experienced playing the same team three times in a week.

“I guess familiarity can breed contempt, so I need to think very carefully about my team selection.”

Meanwhile, Andy Ballard believes Didcot Town can spring a surprise when they host West Division leaders Taunton Town tomorrow.

The Railwaymen, who are sixth, suffered a disappointing defeat at AFC Totton last weekend, but bounced back with an enthralling 6-5 Berks & Bucks Senior Cup victory over Flackwell Heath in midweek.

“Tomorrow will be our toughest game of the season so far, but I believe it’s a game that we can cause an upset in,” the Didcot boss said.

“We need a defensively solid display and we need our attacking players to step up to the plate.”

Michael Alexis, Seth Humphries and Sam Parish return to league action, but Sam Barder, Callum McNish and Stuart Cattell are out.

North Leigh resume their season after a ten-day break when they entertain fifth-placed Bideford at Eynsham Park.

“It was a shame to miss a week after beating Mangotsfield, because after a positive performance and result you want to keep playing,” said boss John Brough.

Josh Thomas is suspended, but Sean Wood returns from illness.

Kidlington entertain AFC Totton at Yarnton Road.

Tommy Castle and Mark Bell miss out, but James Organ is added to the squad.

In the East Division, Thame United make the short trip to Aylesbury fresh off the back of an excellent 5-0 win in the FA Trophy last weekend.

Boss Mark West, who was attending a wedding and missed the game, was delighted with the result.

“I got really good reports back from (caretaker boss) Andy (Gledhill),” West said.

Dan West, misses tomorrow’s game through suspension, while Gledhill (groin) is a big doubt. But John Dennis returns from an ankle injury.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Banbury Utd (v Tiverton Tn, home): from Harding, Hawtin, Peake-Pijnen, Westbrook, Bradbury, Carnell, Shamsi, Pond, Louis, McDonagh, Winters, Self, Johnson, Nash, Wise, Sambrook, Ngathe.

Didcot Tn (v Taunton Tn, home): from Bedwell, Jeacock, McNeil, Learoyd, Reid, Pin, Woodley, Joyce, Ballard, Parish, Mortimore, Murphy, Barcelos, Alexis, Humphries.

North Leigh (v Bideford, home): from Agboola, Lymn, Keightley, Paddock, James, Wellon, Hopkins, Wood, Mattock, Mendes, Grabe, Bryan, Waldon, Seacole, Noel-Williams.

Kidlington (v AFC Totton, home): from Warrell, E Odhiambo, Janes, Wharton, Franklin, Brown, Gabbidon, Coyle, A Odhiambo, James, Browne, Martin, Quainton, Osbourne-Ricketts, Organ, Benjamin, Tetek.

Thame Utd (v Aylesbury, away): from Hill, Murray, Lynn, Smyth, Hercules, Sturgess, Connell, Goss, Morris, Johnston, Gledhill, Evans, Harrison, Ricketts, Gray, Dennis.