DIDCOT Town suffered a major blow ahead of tomorrow’s Emirates FA Cup tie at home to Aylesbury with news of Felipe Barcelos’s decision to leave the club.

The 26-year-old striker has joined Portsmouth-based Evo-Stik South League Division 1 South club Moneyfields.

It’s a move that saddened the Railwaymen’s boss, Andy Ballard, who claims the Brazilian was offered a lot more money to make the switch.

“I can understand his decision on a financial basis, but in my opinion, it’s a very short-sighted move for him,” said Ballard.

“He’s a fantastic player and is still young enough to go on and make a real name for himself at a higher level.”

Barcelos, who lives in Swindon, originally joined Banbury United during the summer, but changed his mind after the decision to place the Puritans in the Midlands-based Premier Division Central

Ballard said: “I am genuinely disappointed in his decision after we fought so hard to keep him with us over the summer, but the offer he had was over double what he got from us, so I wish him all the best.”

Barcelos denied he was moving because of money.

Replying to a comment on Twitter, he tweeted: “If that was the case I would of left last season for more money, I won’t get into details about my reasons why I left, I got nothing but respect for Didcot fans, employees, players and management team."

Didcot, who beat Aylesbury’s other team, Aylesbury United, 4-0 in midweek, will be without Michael Alexis and Morgan Williams for the tie.

Thame United assistant boss Stuart Blaik is delighted with his side’s start to the season as they prepare to entertain Berkhamsted in the cup.

The Oxfordshire side made it two wins from two with a 3-2 derby win against North Leigh in midweek, and despite losing two of their leading scores from last season, Thame have already netted seven times in the opening week of the season.

“We’re delighted with our start this year, but we must make sure we don’t get carried away,” he said.

“The FA Cup is huge for the financial rewards it can reap. We need to approach the game in the same way as we have done in the first two games. It promises to be a decent game, and we have no injury worries, so hopefully we can get into the next round.”

North Leigh’s joint manager Darren James is not unduly concerned after their midweek defeat at Thame as they prepare to North Leigh host Hanwell.

“We’re a young, growing side. We put these group of lads together. A lot of them are 18 or 19 years old, and they need to get used to playing at this level.

He said “It’s nice to have a home fixture.

"Hanwell won’t fancy coming to our place, especially with the slope, and we will pick the team up for Saturday and give it our best shot.”

Kidlington will also have to lift themselves up from the ignominy of their 11-0 midweek humbling at Sporting Bromsgrove as they entertain Marlow.

The Yarnton Road outfit have endured a dreadful start to the season, after losing 5-0 to Bedford on the opening day.

Wantage Town make the trip to Gloucestershire to take on Slimbridge, while Easington Sports, in their first year in the FA Cup, are at home to Chipping Sodbury Town and Ardley United entertain Burnham.

TOMORROW’S FA CUP SQUADS

Didcot Tn (v Aylesbury, home): from Bedwell, Learoyd, Cattell, Carnell, Barder, Woodley, Hayden, McNish,Humphries, Thomas, Williams, Gardiner, McNeil, Markham.

Thame Utd (v Berkhamsted Tn, home): from Hill, Mepham, Lynn, Essex, Jewell, Ashworth, Martin, Sturgess, Tack, Mealing, Goss, Gledhill, James, Evans, Scott, Ellworth.

North Leigh (v Hanwell, home): from L Saunders, McEachran, A Saunders, Brown, Newman, Tutton, Landers, James, Griggs, Seacole, Pimm, Hughes, Shepperd, Stevens, Linford-Pill, Alibi.

Wantage Tn (v Slimbridge, away): from Clayton, New, Mace, Ford, Paddock, Staten, Iddles, Layton, Wright, Martin, Watts, Hall, Birkett, Llewellen.