Oxford City coach Mike Ford says there can be no time for sentiment when they face his former club Bedford Town at Court Place Farm in the Premier Division of the British Gas Business Southern League on Saturday.

Both sides have lost their first two games and the former Oxford United defender says a win is vital.

"What I'm looking forward to is us winning a game of football," said Ford who helped Bedford win promotion to Conference South.

"I went there in the February 2006 to start with just to help my mate Nicky Plautener when he was manager.

"To be honest, I felt as fit as a fiddle and he asked me if I wanted to play again. I ended up playing a dozen games or so and we got promotion through the play-offs.

"I was there for seven or eight months and I really enjoyed my time there.

"But Saturday is all about winning. There is a big difference in the Premier Division.

"Things that we got away with last season, we are getting punished for at this level.

"We played better in the second half in patches against Banbury (they lost 1-0), but we were naive against Hitchin (City lost 3-2).

"As you go up through the divisions, the biggest difference is the strikers. Against Hitchin we didn't deal with their two strikers.

"We have to learn and learn fast. We need to get clued-in. To wise-up."

Ford added that he had gleaned advice from a number of fellow coaches: "I have had a chat with Mickey Lewis (the pair played together at United where Lewis is assistant manager) which was very helpful. So I'm pretty sure of what we are going to face."

Banbury United could be without centre back Luke Bennett, striker Nicky Gordon and defender Kamran Abassi for their derby trip to Rugby Town.

Bennett is definitely out with a tweaked hamstring, while Gordon (hamstring) and Kamram Abassi (knee) are doubtful after being injured during their midweek draw away to Stourbridge.

"We are now waiting on a verdict on Luke from the Oxford physio (Neil Sullivan)," said boss Kieran Sullivan, who used to play for Rugby.

Abingdon United welcome back Jamie Brooks for their Division 1 South & West visit to Burnham.

The winger was unavailable for their 1-0 defeat at Windsor on Tuesday.

Boss Andy Slater, whose side have no injury problems, said: "I'm gutted we lost at Windsor because we put on a good performance."

Unbeaten North Leigh will be without Simon Futcher and Andy McCabe when they host Uxbridge at Eynsham Park.

McCabe is at a wedding, while Futcher is away, though both return for the trip to Didcot Town on Monday.

Didcot Town are without midfielder Richard Witt (groin) and defender Matty Jack (holiday) when they travel to Thatcham.

The Railwaymen have lost on their last two visits, 1-0 on both occasions.

Witt and Jack will also miss Monday's derby.

Saturday's line-ups Oxford City (v Bedford Tn, home): from Smith, Saulsbury, Weedon, Davis, Avery, Allaway, Gunn, Malone, Redknapp, Pond, Gardner, Bell, Lyon, Romeo, Falconbridge, Baird, Posey.

Banbury Utd (v Rugby Tn, away): from Murrell, Abassi, Milner, Essex, Morley, Travers, Breward, Pearman, Stanbridge, Gordon, Sc Bridges, Bryan, Peppiatt, Howkins, Kinch, Drummond, McKay, Bennett, Sambrook.

Abingdon Utd (v Burnham, away): from Farrow, Burton, Organ, Davis, Woodley, McCalmon, J Parker, Herbert, Holden, Odhiambo, Curtin, Janes, Beechers, Austin, Franklin, Johnson.

North Leigh (v Uxbridge, home): from Barrett, Riordan, Helby, Cooper, Husley, Dodds, Burnell, McCabe, Allen, Simms, Threlfall, Jackson, Grant, Hutter, Sadler, Dennis.

Didcot Tn (v Thatcham Tn, away): from Watkins, Heapy, Bicknell, Williams, Brown, Howell, Hopkins, Burnley, King, Mortimer-Jones, Bartley, Roach, Hope, Vine.