British Gas Business Southern League

Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace says his players need to maintain their decent form in the run-up to Christmas as the Division 1 South & West table starts to take shape.

Didcot went top after last weekend’s victory at Gosport, and although now back in third place, are on a good run.

On Saturday, they host bogey side Andover, who beat them twice in the league last season, and knocked them out of the FA Trophy this season.

Peace said: “We’re getting to that Christmas period where the league starts to sort itself out.

“We need to make sure we are still in the pack going into the new year, and this game is crucial to us.

“We also have to put our previous record against them out of our minds.”

Neville Roach (hamstring) and Elliott Osborne-Ricketts (ankle) are doubts for Peace’s side, while Ben Hepburn is definitely out with a knee injury.

Peace has brought Oxford United youngster Ian Sampson in on loan.

Abingdon United boss Andy Slater will warn his players against complacency when they travel to basement boys Winchester City.

Abingdon lost 3-1 to Thatcham in midweek, ending a good run of form, but they will be expected to bounce back in Hampshire against a side that have won just once this season.

But Slater said: “It’s a potential banana skin, because Winchester will be desperate for a result.

“They are a young side who will have a good go at us, but I would hope for a response from the lads.”

Billy Beechers is set to return after missing the midweek match due to work, while Jimmy Smith is back after getting married.

North Leigh welcome back Karl Dodds from suspension as they host Thatcham Town.

Chris Weedon has recovered from a back injury, but Jamie Jackson (fractured cheekbone) and Paul Cooper (ankle) are out and Mark Simms (tendonitis) is doutbful.

Boss Mark Gee said: “We’re in the middle of a decent run at the moment. We’ve stopped giving away silly goals as we’ve started to defend better.”

In the Premier Division, Oxford City will be at full strength for the visit of Bashley, and boss Justin Merritt will seek a response after last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Stourbridge.

Merritt said: “We weren’t good enough. We’ve chopped and changed things around a bit, and players need to understand each other.

“They feel they’ve let themselves down and I’m sure we’ll bounce back.

“It’s more a case of mental application rather than our ability, and I’m still hopeful we can push up the table in the next few weeks.”

Banbury United host Hitchin Town at the Spencer Stadium.

SATURDAY'S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Andover, home): from Watkins, Heapy, Williams, Brown, Powell, Mortimer-Jones, King, Howell, Jack, Bartley, Roach, Osborne-Ricketts, Sampson, McKay, Saunders, Bucknor, Barnes.

Abingdon Utd (v Winchester City, away): from Warrell, Janes, Burton, Franklin, Organ, Smith, Biddle, McCalmon, Herbert, Austin, Horsfall, Weedon, Haysham, Beechers, Odhiambo, Holden, Booker, Davis.

North Leigh (v Thatcham Tn, home): from Farrow, Collins, Dodds, Huxley, Allen, Helby, McCabe, Burnell, Reardon, Futcher, Simms, Hope, Parker, Sadler, Weedon.

Oxford C (v Bashley, home): from Harrison, Ballard, Davis, Gunn, Pond, Gulliver, Lyon, Savage, Faulkner, Baird, Bell, Rendell, Christon, Faulconbridge, Malone, Merritt.

Banbury Utd (v Hitchin, home): from Murrell, Peppiatt, Stringfellow, Bennett, Essex, Stanbridge, Redknap, Sc Bridges, Travers, Forinton, Howkins, Robinson, Sambrook.