UHLSPORT HELLENIC LEAGUE

ARDLEY United continue their push for promotion with a trip to in-form Thame United on Boxing Day, writes Matthew Bruce.

Thame have lost only once in their last 13 matches in all competitions, but Kevin Brock’s Ardley travel to the ASM Stadium on the back of a six-game unbeaten streak which has taken them top of the Premier Division.

Ardley and third-placed Wantage Town are the only sides in the division to apply for promotion to the Southern League, but chairman Norman Stacey says the title is not a two-horse race.

“All the teams will want to win it,” he said.

“They don’t mind if they can’t get promoted, they just want to win the league.

“From my point of view, any one of Ascot United, Highmoor Ibis, Reading Town or Highworth Town could still win it.

“We’re just happy to be up there at the moment, we’re not taking anything for granted.”

Ardley will be looking to extend their four-point lead at the top of the table during the busy Christmas period, and Stacey admitted he was pleased to see the club well-positioned after much hard work behind the scenes.

“We’ve done an awful lot of work to get the ground grading,” he added.

“We have a ground inspection from the FA in the new year and they’re the ones who really matter.

“There are still a couple of little things that need to be done, but the deadline’s not until March 31 and we’re confident we will be ready if we win promotion.”