WANTAGE Town boss Daniel Barry believes his side are underdogs in tonight's derby at home to Didcot Town in the Emirates FA Cup preliminary round (7.45).

The Alfredians are in good form after back-to-back league wins, but are without several key players for the clash with their neighbours.

“It’s not the best situation, but we look forward to the challenge after a good start to the season,” said Barry.

“We will enjoy the evening and give it a good go, but we’ve got to remember Didcot are the favourites who have set up to get promoted, so will be confident of beating us."

“It’s the FA Cup and a local derby so we will definitely be up for it and will be going all-out for the win.”

Didcot are at full strength and joint-manager Ian Concannon is eyeing an upturn in form after returning to winning ways with a 3-1 win at AFC Totton last weekend.

“We’ve had a couple of defeats, but bounced back really well on Saturday, so we’re looking now for this to be the start of an unbeaten run,” said Concannon.

“We’re aware also that Wantage are coming into the game in a rich vein of form, so we won’t be taking them lightly.

“We’ve had them watched and they’re better than they were last season."

“They’re going to work hard and try to put us off our rhythm, so it’s all about who applies themselves properly.

Striker Ricky Johnson and defender Jon Steedman return as Banbury United look to avoid a potential banana skin at Combined Counties League leaders Hartley Wintney tomorrow.

Banbury’s hosts, who defeated Chinnor in the previous round, take a 100 per cent record into the match and Puritans boss Mike Ford says his side will be fully wound up.

“The top teams in the Combined Counties would probably be comfortable in the Southern League,” he said.

“Hartley Wintney have won every game so far and scored lots of goals, so I have no doubt that if they were in our league they would hold their own."

“We’ll show them the exact same respect we showed to Swindon Supermarine and Cinderford and to all the other clubs we’ll face this season.”

North Leigh are also against Combined Counties League opposition, as they travel to struggling Cove.

Kidlington visit Chertsey Town and Milton United are away to Cheltenham Saracens, while Hook Norton host Burnham.

THIS WEEKEND’S SQUADS

Wantage Tn: from Cavanagh, Tucker, Hulbert-Thomas, Davis, Barton, Whitaker, Roberts, Carbon, Cottrell, Evans, Leigh, Thorne, Johns, Davis, Collier, Whitehead, Bruce, Ferris.

Didcot Tn: from Bedwell, Elkins, Carnell, Ballard, Learoyd, Dutton-Black, Organ, Longford, Self, Martin, Williams, McDonagh, Janes, Woodley, Deabill, Heapy.

Banbury Utd: from Harding, Eadle, White, Bowles, Gunn, Steedman, Browne, McEachran, Evangelinos, Tappin, Johnson, Howards, Bell, Bayliss, Martin, Cox, McLaughlin.

  • ABINGDON United’s injury woes continue as they look for a first win of the season at home to high-flying Highmoor Ibis in Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division.


Josh Crook, Jack Ross, Jordan Jeacock, Jake Dell, Ryan Jackson Wild and Martin Buckthorpe are all missing.


Abingdon Utd: from Plumridge, Merola, Wright, Harper, Booker, Hawtin, Essex, Almond, Bowerman, Field, Reid, Griffin, Brown, Hillman, Smith.