PLAY-OFF chasing Didcot Town will look to capitalise on their positive Christmas results as they travel to Shortwood United in the Evo-Stik South League West Division.

The Railwaymen are just a point off the play-off places, and boss Andy Ballard was delighted after 3-0 victory over North Leigh last weekend.

“It was exactly the response I was looking for after the 3-3 draw with against Kidlington,” he said.

“We were dominant throughout and but for a great goalkeeping display, we could have scored two or three more.”

Louis Joyce picked up an ankle injury in last week’s win, and misses the trip to Gloucestershire, while Seth Humphries faces a late fitness test.

North Leigh boss John Brough says his players need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and put their disappointing run of three straight defeats behind them when they entertain Slimbridge.

Brough said:“The Didcot game was disappointing all-round,” he said. “We didn’t compete, we didn’t defend well and we didn’t create anything.

“If it hadn’t been for Manny (Agboola) it would have been a heavier defeat.

“I am looking for a massive improvement. If we don’t pick up, we will be looking down rather than up.

“The players are feeling sorry for themselves right now. But just because we are low on confidence, it doesn’t stop you running, heading and tackling.”

Jamal Lawrence has gone back to Hungerford Town and Josh Thomas’s loan spell from Cheltenham has ended, but there is a return for Lee Marshall and Will Wellon.

Elliott Osborne-Ricketts has served his three-match ban and returns for Kidlington at home to Barnstaple Town.

It is also hoped that skipper Tommy Franklin along with Lewis Coyle, Tommy Castle and James Organ will be back in the squad.

On the flip-side, Eddie Odhiambo and Harry Whitehead have to serve one-game bans after picking up two yellows over Christmas.

Midfield man Lewis Gabbidon sustained an injury in the 2-2 draw at Supermarine Monday and faces a late fitness test.

In the East Division, Thame United have suffered a blow as captain and centre half Ellis Hercules has left the club.

Hercules, who has been instrumental in Thame’s success over the last two seasons, has emigrated to New Zealand.

Boss Mark West was quick to pay tribute to Hercules.

“It’s a big blow for us, but we knew it was coming, “ said. “He has been offered a new job and it’s a great opportunity for him. We’re now on the hunt for a replacement.”

Thame travel to Moneyfields, and with Mark West’s men sitting eighth, a play-off spot isn’t out of the question.

But West insists that is not on his radar at the moment.

“We have a really difficult month of fixtures ahead, after which we will have a good idea of where we are at,” he said.

TOMORROW’S SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Shortwood Utd, away): from Bedwell, Elkins, Young, Learoyd, Alexis, Barcelos, Pin, Agyakwa, Murphy, Reid, Thomas, Ballard, Woodley, Cattell, Barder, McNeill, Jeacock, Hayden.

North Leigh (v Slimbridge, home): from Agboola, Lymn, Keightley, Paddock, Mattock, Sheehan, Seacole, McGlynn, Grabe, James, Carroll, Waldon, Wellon, Marshall.

Kidlington (v Barnstaple Tn, home): from Warrell, Tetek, Castle, Quainton, Janes, Franklin, Brown, Gabbidon, Coyle, James, Browne, A Odhiambo, Osborne-Ricketts, Martin, Organ, Benjamin, Bell.

Thame Utd (v Moneyfields, away): from Hill, Murray, Lynn, Smyth, Davies, Sturgess, Connell, Goss, Morris, Johnston, Gledhill, Evans, Harrison, Ricketts, Gray, D West.