Carterton boss Terry Merriman says his Hellenic League Premier Division players can pull off a shock, by beating Southern League Premier Division outfit Banbury United in the final of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup at the Kassam Stadium tonight (7.45).

But they will have to do it without Gary Smales, who has an eye injury.

Merriman, who will also be without suspended defender Joe Wood, is confident his side can cause a huge upset by winning the cup for the first time.

"We are underdogs," said Merriman," whose side warmed up for the final with a 4-0 win against Shortwood United.

"But we do have four or five players more than capable of producing the quality we will need to triumph tonight.

"Our form of late is decent, and we do like to play it on the ground, so we are confident that we can produce it on the night."

Merriman added: "We have players who I know can step up to the next level. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to show everyone."

Carterton last appeared in the final in 1999 when they lost 3-0 to Oxford City at the Manor Ground. They dropped Town from their name in August 2004 when they merged with Carterton Rangers.

As a player, Merriman scored the winning spot-kick for Witney Town as they beat Oxford City 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out victory in 1998.

Banbury boss Kevin Brock, whose side last won the cup in 2004, said: "I don't know an awful lot about them, although earlier in the season, Tricks (keeper Simon Tricker) played against Carterton for Abingdon United, which could be useful. I know some of their players who can play at a higher level.

"They have had a good season in the Hellenic League and I have made the players aware that Carterton will be right on their game. It will be tough. It should be a good night as long as we win!"

Jon Gardner is back from his loan spell at Oxford City, while Keiron Sullivan, who recently played his 500th game for the club, should return from a back injury. Stuart Bridges could play after a flu bug.

Brock, whose side could finish seventh in their league, added: "It would be nice to end the season with some silverware the players deserve it for their tremendous efforts."

Carterton: from Simms, Threlfall, Border, Butt, Dodds, Goodwin, Joyce, Mortimer-Jones, Lewis, Odom, Sherwood, Cooper, Pratley, Gilkes, Blakely.

Banbury Utd: Foster, Robinson, Kinch, Pond, Saulsbury, Fuller, Stanbridge, Lamb, Redknap, Baird, Lazarus, Gooderick, Sullivan, Tricker, Gardner, Bridges, Blossom.