BEN Whitehead has committed himself to helping Wantage Town preserve their Evo-Stik Southern League status after rejecting a move from local rivals Didcot Town.

The two sides were due meet in Division 1 South & West on Saturday, but it was called off as Wantage’s Alfredian Park pitch was waterlogged.

This would have been Wantage’s new boss Stuart Cattell his first south Oxfordshire derby after he was handed the role permanently last week.

Defender Sam Collier and former New College Swindon manager Rob Hopkins will be his assistants.

And Cattell, out of the side with a thigh injury, feels that striker Whitehead could prove pivotal to their survival hopes.

“We were a bit worried that he might leave, so it’s a massive boost to us that he’s decided to stay,” said Cattell.

“He’s going to be a big player for us in the relegation fight and I think his goals could make the difference come the end of the season.

“I did say to him the other day, ‘I want to see you on Saturday, but in green and white, not in red’, so I’m just relieved that will be the case.”

Former Wantage striker George Reid netted twice on his Didcot debut in their 5-1 win at Winchester City last Wednesday.

Two more goals from Luke Carnell and a Graham Edney strike earned Andy Ballard his first victory as manager, but it was the 19-year-old new arrival from Abingdon United who won all the plaudits.

“He wasn’t actually expected to play, but his circumstances changed and he put in an amazing performance,” said Ballard.

“We threw him into it at Winchester and he responded with two absolute wonder goals, so he’s a real prospect.”

This Saturday Didcot entertain Slimbridge, while Wantage Town travel to Taunton Town.