DIDCOT Town boss Andy Ballard has hit out at his team after their midweek 4-2 defeat at home to Winchester City.

The Railwaymen trailed 4-0 at half-time and although they battled back after the break, their manager was not impressed.

“I was bitterly disappointed,” he said. “We conceded some really poor goals because we didn’t have enough desire as a team to defend together.

“We upped our levels after the break, but you cannot give a team a 4-0 start and expect anything from the game.”

Ballard is calling on his side to bounce back quickly, starting with tomorrow’s clash at home to Yate Town in the West Division of the Evo-Stik South League.

“We’re going through a really disappointing run,” Ballard said. “But this is when I will see what my players are made of.”

Didcot may include 16-year-old youth team striker Chris Mortimore after he made an impressive debut in their midweek defeat, but Ethan Lamptey has returned to his parent club Northampton Town after a loan spell.

North Leigh travel to high-flying Taunton Town on the back of two successive 2-1 defeats.

“Last Saturday’s defeat was disappointing as our performance was poor,” said boss John Brough.

“Against Totton we were much improved, but unfortunately the result didn’t come.

“We had good results against Taunton last year, and I know how they’ll play, so we will have to cope with the threat they pose.”

Striker Mark Magee has left the club by mutual consent, but North Leigh have been boosted by the signing of Kynan Isaac, a midfielder who has had previous experience with Banbury United, Oxford City and Luton Town.

Thame United boss Mark West is hoping his side can finally end their torrid home run when they host Bedford Town at the ASM Stadium in the East Division.

Although their away form has been excellent with three wins in four games on their travels – Thame have yet to pick up a point on their own patch.

And West says that needs to change sooner rather than later.

“We’ve been really good away, but it’s been a different story at home,” he said.

Striker Andy Gledhill returns from a groin injury.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

North Leigh (v Taunton Tn, away): from Agboola, Keightley, Grabe, Wellon, Stevens, Wood, Seacole, Waldon, Hopkins, Mendes, D James, Carroll, Harris, Petriaggi, Thomas, Price, Isaac.

Didcot Tn (v Yate Tn, home): from Bedwell, Barder, Jeacock, McNeil, Elkins, Cattell, Learoyd, Humphries, McNish, Reid, Pin, Woodley, Hayden, Woodley, Joyce, Ballard, Parish, Mortimore.

Thame Utd (v Bedford Tn, home): from Hill, Murray, Lynn, Smyth, Hercules, Sturgess, Connell, Goss, Morris, West, Ricketts, Johnston, Gledhill, Dennis, Evans, Harrison.

  • KIDLINGTON, without a game this weekend, drew 2-2 at home to Slimbridge on Wednesday night.

Anaclet Odhiambo and Lewis Coyle scored as the hosts fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to snatch a point.

  • WANTAGE Town have been handed a home tie against Western League side Cadbury Heath in the second round of the Buildbase FA Vase.