DIDCOT Town manager Andy Ballard cannot wait to get cracking as his side get set for their first competitive game of the season this weekend.

The Railwaymen begin their Evo-Stik South League Division 1 Central campaign at Welwyn Garden City on Saturday.

They finished off the pre-season preparations in style last weekend, thrashing Moneyfields 5-0 at home.

Morgan Williams hit a brace to wrap up the victory after Stuart Cattell, Matt Woodley and an own goal had put them in charge.

Coming after the 2-2 midweek draw at Evesham United, where Felipe Barcelos and Woodley were on target, it saw Didcot finish their warm-up games with six wins and a draw from seven games.

Ballard is upbeat about the way everything has come together ahead of the big kick-off.

He said: “We’ve trained extremely hard over the last few weeks and I’ve been really impressed with the fitness levels and intensity shown in the games we’ve played.

“The lads are beginning to get the basics right and understand the way that I want them to play and it’s really shown in the way we have defended together and attacked with pace and creativity.

“We’ve put together a good mix of youth and experience but most importantly we’ve got a squad that works hard and pushes each other to be better every time we play or train and all of our lads want to be successful.

“We just want to get going now.”

It is a contrast to the start of the summer, where confusion reigned over which division Didcot would be playing in this season.

But after an appeal they were moved to the renamed Central Division, where they will have Oxfordshire derbies with Kidlington, North Leigh and Thame United.

They were then the beneficiaries of another side’s divisional switch.

Last season’s top-scorer Felipe Barcelos and former club captain Luke Carnell were all set to join Banbury United, but their placement in a division with plenty of trips north saw them think again.

They are now on board, as Ballard looks to follow up last season’s efforts, which saw them reach the play-offs and the Big Free Bet Challenge Cup Final.

Defender Ryan Markham joined from Wantage Town, as well as midfielder Lance Williams from Kidlington.

Didcot Town’s squad changes

IN: Ryan Markham (Wantage Town), Luke Carnell (Banbury United), Lance Williams (Kidlington)

OUT: George Jeacock (Farnborough), Marlon Agyakwa (Canvey Island) Sam Elkins (not expected to sign on due to long-term injury).

  • Connor Mattimore struck a 94th-minute winner to send Wantage Town through in the Emirates FA Cup.

A Chris Jackson penalty and Harvey Scholes header put Ben Sadler’s side 2-0 ahead, but hosts Oxhey Jets roared back to lead 3-2.

Another Jackson spot-kick levelled the scores, before Mattimore’s heroics set up a preliminary round tie at Slimbridge.

Samuel Wharton and Lester Davis were on target as Abingdon United drew 2-2 at home to Burnham.