JAMIE Cook explained this week why he has come out of retirement to help out his former club North Leigh.

The ex-Oxford United forward, now 38, rejoined boss John Brough’s side following last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Slimbridge in the Evo-Stik South League West Division.

He came on on as a 79th-minute substitute during the Millers’ 4-1 defeat by Yate in midweek – a result that dropped them to 16th.

And he is included in the squad for their trip to second-placed Salisbury City tomorrow.

Cook, now a golf professional at Heythrop Park, said: “The golf season has finished, and I’ve been twiddling my thumbs.

“I’ve been coming up to watch. I agreed with John to come and play a few games and help them out of the sticky patch.”

Brough said: “We’ve been struggling to put the ball into the back of the net.

“Jamie said he wanted to play, which will will be a big benefit to us, once we get him up to speed, fitness wise.”

Brough has also re-signed defender Matt Sysum and midfielder Ryan Barney as he aims to turn around a slump in form.

Andy Ballard says his play-off chasing Didcot Town side need to be more consistent ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Cirencester Town – his 100th game as manager.

Didcot will be without Ollie Thomas, who starts a suspension after his dismissal in the 3-3 draw at Shortwood last weeekend.

Ballard said: “We’ve shown several times what we are capable of with some really impressive performances, but we need to string some together.”

Didcot will also be without injured trio Seth Humphries, Louis Joyce and Callum McNish, while Marlon Agyakwa faces a fitness test on an ankle injury.

Mark Janes, Elliott Osborne-Ricketts and Eddie Odhiambo return for Kidlington, who make the trip to third-placed Bristol Manor Farm.

However, Harry Whitehead is serving a one-match suspension.

He should have missed their Oxfordshire Senior Cup final at home to Thame United on Wednesday, but it was called off due to fog and has been rearranged for next Wednesday.

In the East Division, Thame United host Hayes & Yeading United.

Boss Mark West says the next month will be the toughest period of the season as his side take on a lot of play-off hopefuls.

But after having last weekend’s trip to Moneyfields postponed, he says they are raring to go.

“It probably didn’t do us any harm to have a little rest last week,” he said. “Hopefully all the lads that had little niggles will be fit and back.

Banbury United boss Mike Ford was not too downhearted after seeing his side lose 1-0 away to lowly Farnborough Town in the Evo-Stik South League Premier Division on Wednesday.

Banbury dominated for long periods, but went down to a goal from Keith Emmerson just before the hour mark.

“We had at least seven or eight chances to score, but did not finish them off, and they volleyed home one of their few efforts,” said Ford.

“It’s the first time for along time that we’ve failed to score (October 10 against Hereford), so I can’t be too disappointed.”

Ford keeps the same squad for tomorrow’s match away to Bishops Stortford – another team down the table.

“We need to turn losses into draws and draws into wins, starting on Saturday,” he added.

TOMORROW’S LINE-UPS

Banbury Utd (v Bishops Stortford, away): from Harding, Hawtin, Ngathe, Nash, Wise, Carnell, Self, Humphreys, Sandy, Johnson, McDonagh, Winters, Howards, Bryan, Macdonald, Clayton, Bradbury.

North Leigh (v Salisbury City, away): from Griffiths, Lymn, Hopkins, Sysum, Wellon, Paddock, James, Sheehan, Seacole, McGlynn, Simpson, Keightley, Cook, Waldon, Grabe, Barney, Marshall, James.

Didcot Tn (v Cirencester Tn, home): from Bedwell, Elkins, Young, Learoyd, Alexis, Barcelos, Pin, Agyakwa, Murphy, Reid, Ballard, Woodley, Cattell, Barder, McNeill, Jeacock, Hayden.

Kidlington (v Bristol Manor Farm, away): from Warrell, E Odhiambo, Janes, Franklin, Brown, McMahon, Castle, Bell, Benjamin, Osborne-Ricketts, Browne, A Odhiambo, Williams, Coyle, Quainton, Martin.

Thame Utd (v Hayes & Yeading, home): from Hill, Murray, Lynn, Smyth, Davies, Sturgess, Connell, Goss, Morris, Johnston, Gledhill, Evans, Harrison, Ricketts, Gray, D West.