British Gas Business Southern League

EXPERIENCED defender Richard Peirson has rejoined Abingdon United from Brackley Town.

Peirson has been in excellent form for the Premier Division side, but returns to Northcourt Road as Abingdon look to start 2009 with victory at home to Burnham in Division 1 South & West on Saturday.

Boss Andy Slater said: “Richard’s been playing some of his best football at Brackley, but his heart is at Abingdon. Although he’s been in the form of his life, I don’t think he enjoyed his spell there.”

Keeper Sam Warrell returns from a three-match suspension for Abingdon, who face a Burnham side under new management.

Slater said: “They are on a decent run. Their new manager has shaken things up a bit and they have sig-ned some quality players.

“But the players I have believe they can go on a run and push up the table. We just need to be a bit more consistent.

“One minute I think we’ve cracked this level, and the next it’s back to the drawing board.”

Striker Michael Bartley returns for Didcot Town as they host Thatcham Town.

Bartley missed the New Year’s Day goalless draw with Cirencester with flu.

Matty Jack has recovered from a slight hip injury, Boss Stuart Peace said: “In the past, Thatcham were a bit of a bogey side for us, but we drew with them away in the league and beat them in the Berks & Bucks Cup.

“They are in a rich vein of form at the moment, but we need to be positive.”

In the Premier Division, Oxford City will look to build on last Saturday’s 3-0 win against Banbury when they travel to Bedford Town.

Boss Justin Merritt said: “It was a good display against Banbury, but the next two games are critical for us, because we have games in hand and a decent run will get us pushing up the table.”

Midfielder Craig Faulconbridge looks to have recovered from the ankle injury picked up against Banbury, but new signing Mark Lambert is suspended for one match for accumulation of bookings before his move to Court Place Farm from Chesham. Striker Mark Bell returns from injury.

Banbury United host Rugby Town at the Spencer Stadium.

Nicky Gordon (hamstring) is a doubt, while Lewis Travers (concussion) and Ollie Stanbridge (ribs) face fitness tests.

SATURDAY'S LINE-UPS

Oxford City (v Bedford Tn, away): from Harrison, Ballard, Gunn, Pond, Savage, Lyon, Faulconbridge, Faulkner, Baird, Brooks, Malone, Davis, Robinson, Rendell, Carbon, Bell.

Banbury Utd (v Rugby Tn, home): from Murrell, Abassi, Kinch, Essex, Bennett, Redknap, Bridges, Haisley, Gordon, Stringfellow, Groves, Howkins, Buckwell, Peppiatt, Reeves, Stanbridge, Travers.

Didcot Tn (v Thatcham Tn (home): from Watkins, Heapy, Williams, Brown, Powell, Sampson, King, Jack, Mortimer-Jones, Roach, Bartley, Howell, Osbourne-Ricketts, Hopkins, Hepburn, Bucknor, McKay.

Abingdon Utd (v Burnham, home): from Warrell, Burton, Janes, Davis, Franklin, Peirson, Organ, Weedon, Austin, McCalmon, Herbert, Ben-jamin, Holden, Odhiambo, Beechers, Haysham, Booker.