RYAN Brooks marked his return to Didcot Town with a brace as they defeated Slough Town 4-1 in the opening pre-season friendly on Saturday.

Brooks who returned to the club following a season at Hellenic League champions Kidlington, scored a second-half double with Mark Janes and Taylor Janes also getting on the scoresheet for the Railwaymen.

Player/manager Andy Ballard has strengthened the squad with three more signings.

Nick Thorne has returned to the club while Sam Barder and Harry Whitehead have joined from Wantage Town.

Didcot, who enjoyed a super run to the first round of the FA Cup first round in 2015/16, could meet local opposition in next season’s competition.

The Railwaymen are set to visit either Ascot United or derby rivals Milton United in the preliminary round.

Wantage Town are at home to Hanworth Villa or Knaphill.

In the FA Trophy, Wantage are away to Kidlington in the preliminary round.

Didcot visit Bishops Cleeve, with the winners to visit Banbury United.

Abingdon United are away to Oxford City Nomads in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase on September 24.

FA CUP

Extra prelim round (Aug 6): Ascot Utd v Milton Utd, Abingdon Utd v Hayes.

Prelim round (Aug 20): Wantage Tn v Hanworth Villa or Knaphill, Ascot Utd or Milton Utd v Didcot Tn, Chertsey Tn or Hook Norton v Abingdon Utd or Hayes, .

FA TROPHY

Prelim round (Oct 15): Bishops Cleeve v Didcot Tn, Kidlington v Wantage Tn.

1st qual round (Oct 29): Banbury Utd v Bishops Cleeve or Didcot Tn, Weymouth v Kidlington or Wantage Tn.

FA VASE

1st qual round (Sep 10): Shrivenham Tn v Abbey Rgrs.

2nd qual round (Sep 24): Ash Utd or Tytherington Rocks v Milton Utd, Oxford City Nomads v Abingdon Utd, Shrivenham or Abbey Rgrs v Badshot Lee or Farnham Tn.

FA YOUTH CUP

Prelim round (week Sep 5): Wantage Tn v Thatcham, Didcot Tn v Shrivenham.

1st qual round (week Sep 19): Didcot Tn or Shrivenham v Hungerford Tn or Kidlington, Wantage or Thatcham v Alton or Highmoor.