SAM Elkins’ return to Didcot Town has been hailed by player-manager Andy Ballard as a key summer signing, writes Matthew Bruce.

The defender will be playing at Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow again next season, having departed for local rivals North Leigh in the early stages of the last campaign.

After featuring in Saturday’s behind-closed-doors 3-0 friendly defeat at Hayes & Yeading United, Ballard was pleased to recapture Elkins.

“He’s a really good signing for us,” he said.

“He’s been here before and he knows everyone around the club, so we know what we’re getting.

“It’s nice to have Sam back and I think he’s really looking forward to getting started.”

Ryan Brooks, recently arrived from Kidlington, missed a penalty in the Railwaymen’s defeat to the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division side.

The hosts, on the other hand, converted two of their own, with goals coming from Dylan Kearney, Ish Ehui and Manny Williams.

The result did not concern Ballard, who believes his side are well on track for a positive season.

He said: “Performances are far more important than results in pre-season and I’ve been pleased with the way we’ve played against tough opposition.

“We’ve got some new lads in and it’s going to take them a little while to settle.

“We’ve wanted to test ourselves against difficult opposition in pre-season and I think we’ve handled it well.”

Meanwhile, Todd Hathaway has made an instant impact at Wantage Town.

The striker netted a consolation goal as an experimental Alfredians side were trounced 5-1 at home to Bracknell Town on Saturday, courtesy of a hat-trick from Ian Davies and goals from Jahson Downes and Ben Poynter.

And after netting twice, alongside a goal from fellow new arrival Niall Hodgkins, in a 3-0 victory over neighbours Milton United last Tuesday, player-manager Stuart Cattell is excited to see Hathaway in competitive action.

He said: “Right from the first training session his attitude has been brilliant.

“He’s shown a real desire to play for the football club and that’s exactly what we need.

“Even if he doesn’t always bring the goals every week his workrate will be a huge asset to us.”

Didcot kick off their Division 1 South & West campaign at home to Swindon Supermarine on Saturday, August 6, while Wantage entertain Paulton Rovers.