Zamaretto Southern League previews

Didcot Town manager Stuart Peace has called for big improvements from his side, if they are to stave off the threat of relegation from the Premier Division.

Peace believes Didcot have underachieved, and the crucial Christmas period will make or break their season.

He said: “This league doesn’t feel sorry for you, we’re finding it tough – there’s no doubt about it.

“On more than one occasion, we have not been good enough in either box. We need to get the pair to marry together if we are to get out of trouble.”

Didcot face a testing trip to high-flying Nuneaton Town on Saturday, and Peace knows the importance of the next few weeks.

“This is the time of year where the league takes shape. Where we are in the new year is probably where we will be at the end of the season. I believe we have underacheived.

“I have only one striker in Mark Draycott who is scoring regularly, and we need to share the responsibility.

“Players need to give me more than they are giving – we simply have not been good enough.”

Didcot are boosted by the return of Andy Williams and Josh Dutton-Black for tomorrow’s trip, while Jordan Tabor is back from holiday and Ian Sampson has completed a suspension.

On the down side, Matty Jack looks doubtful with a knee injury.

Peace added: “If we get as many points as we have now in the second half of the season, we may stay up, but that’s not guaranteed.”

Oxford City boss Mike Ford says he will take lots of positives from their midweek defeat against Farnborough when they host Hednesford Town.

Although City lost 2-1, Ford was delighted with his side’s performance, especially as they were missing Lee Steele and Dave Savage.

Ford said: “We were outstanding in the second half, and the feedback from Farnborough was we were as good a side as they’ve played.”

City are boosted by the return of Steele and Savage, but Ford says the form of Jon Douglas, who is a former Hednesford player, may mean Steele has to wait.

He said: “We have lots of players coming back and competition for places is terrific. I’m really pleased with Jon (Douglas). He’s been performing really well and Lee might have to be patient.”

Banbury United boss Billy Jeffrey says he will re-assess his ambition after the busy Christmas period.

Jeffrey, whose side host strugglers Tiverton Town, has been delighted with the first half of the season, which sees them sit in the top-half of the table.

“We just want to stay in the top ten. The first target has always been to get to 46 points – and the sooner we get there the better.

“I’m delighted to be where we are, the spirit in the club is great and I’m proud of the lads.

“But we can’t stop and reflect now. The next six weeks are going to be hectic, and after this, we’ll know where we are going.”

In Division 1 South & West, North Leigh will give a late fitness test to keeper Sam Warrell (groin) ahead of their trip to AFC Totton.

Karl Dodds (holiday) and Jamie Jackson (stag party) are out.

Abingdon United host Taunton Town.

SATURDAY'S LNE-UPS

Didcot Tn (v Nuneaton, away): Trott, Heapy, A Williams, Stanley, Tabor, Sampson, Alexis, Mortimer-Jones, Dutton-Black, John, Draycott, Bartley, Brown, Hopkins, Costello, Concannon, Bruce.

Oxford City (v Hednesford Tn, home): from Puddy, Clarke, Davis, Savage, Baird, Gunn, Lyon, Malone, Douglas, Emery, Bell, Steele, Brooks, Perpetuini, Ballard, Janes.

Banbury Utd (v Tiverton Tn, home): from Murrell, Haisley, Martin, Stringfellow, Learoyd, Walker, Coleman, Benjamin, Stone, Shariff, Ashton, Redknap, Taylor, Forinton, Stanbridge, Sambrook.

North Leigh (v AFC Totton, away): from Warrell, Burnell, Caton, Futcher, Huxley, Dodds, Allen, Hole, Taylor, McCable, Reardon, Blackwell, Saunders, Jackson, Lonsdale.

Abingdon Utd (v Taunton Tn, home): from Beames, Brown, Organ, Peirson, Franklin, McCalmon, Osbourne-Rickets, Beechers, Mills, Faulkner, Weedon, Christodoulou, Elkins, Goodrham.