DIDCOT Town are determined to maintain their perfect record when they meet Hitchin Town in the final of the Evo-Stik South League’s bigfreebet.com Challenge Cup next Monday.

In their 111-year history, the Railwaymen have played in 12 finals and won the lot.

The last of these was their memorable FA Vase success over Sudbury Town in 2005.

The one factor against Andy Ballard’s men adding to their astonishing record is that the game will not be played at a neutral venue.

Following their 4-2 penalty shootout victory in the semi-final at Larkhall last week, the West Division side were expecting to figure in a two-legged contest.

But because of the number of matches this season disrupted by the weather, the league decided to play just one game.

The toss went in favour of the Hertfordshire-based Premier Division mid-table outfit, who will host the final on Monday, with a 7.45 kick-off.

Didcot manager Ballard said: “An away draw in the final isn’t ideal, but that’s how the league have decided to play the final. So we’ll have to deal with that.

“It’s been a great achievement to reach this far in the competition and we’re confident that if we are at our best on the night we’ve got a great chance of wining the game.

“Either way, reaching the final of a competition like this should really boost the confidence of my squad which will really help us in our final nine league games of the season.”

The Railwaymen’s victory at Larkhall was the fourth time they have won on penalties in this cup run, following successes against Banbury United, Kidlington and Chesham.

After a goalless 90 minutes, the visitors soon took charge of the shoot-out.

George King blazed over for Larkhall and Didcot keeper Leigh Bedwell saved Alex Lambert’s kick for the visitors as Sam Barder, Lewis Hayden and George Jeacock all scored for the visitors

David Murphy duly despatched his penalty to seal a 4-2 victory and a place in the final.

The Railwaymen’s West Division game away to basement club Bishops Cleeve on Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

They will be hoping to retain their play-off position when they entertain Mangotsfield United this Saturday.