npower Village Cup

Aston Rowant captain David Ridgley is giving his players every chance to fight for their place in Sunday’s last-32 clash clash at Ashcott & Shapwick.

Ridgley, who skippers Rowant’s village cup team as Wes Morrick is ineligible, has named a 14-man squad to face the Somerset & Avon champions.

He said: “The squad will be whittled down to 12 on Saturday evening after our league games, giving all the players every opportunity of making the team on Sunday.

“Then the final side will be selected once we arrive and check out the playing conditions.

“We are looking in good shape with only Chris Eaton a doubt with a back injury.”

It is 23 years since Rowant won the cup’s Oxon group.

Ridgley said: “It’s been a long and frustrating wait for the club, but at last we have made it through to the national stages of the village knockout.

“We've done some research on our opponents Ashcott & Shapwick and know a little about their strengths and weaknesses, plus the playing conditions down there.”

Ashcott & Shapwick are based in the village of Shapwick, which is between Bridgwater and Glastonbury.

They play in the Bristol & Somerset Division of the West of England Premier League, which is equivalent to Division 1 in The Oxford Times Cherwell League.

Should Rowant win on Sunday, they will be away to Cornwall winners Roche or Glamorgan & Gwent champions Miskin Manor on Sunday, July 12.

Aston Rowant: from Ridgley (capt), Jewell, Morgan, Watling, Plumridge, Eaton, Walker, Cooper, Needham, Penhale, Foster, Davis, Humphreys, Dutton.