DIDCOT Town boss Andy Ballard believes his side have turned the corner ahead of their Buildbase FA Trophy preliminary round tie at Shortwood United tomorrow.

Ballard has been delighted with the response of his players after he criticised them following a string of poor results in the Evo-Stik South League.

He hopes the Railwaymen can produce more of the same after beating Yate in the West Division last Saturday and a league cup victory on penalties against Banbury in midweek.

Ballard said: “It looks like we have regained our early season confidence and we are beginning to convert our chances.”

The Didcot boss added: “I have been particularly pleased with our attacking play in the last two games, and hopefully we can continue this.”

Meanwhile, David Murphy, an unused substitute last weekend, could make a first appearance after signing from Berinsfield before the Yate clash.

Ballard said: “David is a natural goalscorer in the North Berks League, and we are hoping that he can step up to our level and continue to score goals.”

Didcot will be without the unavailable Matty Woodley and Lewis Hayden for the tie.

Kidlington entertain Winchester City at Yarnton Road and boss Julian McCalmon names an unchanged squad from the one that beat previously unbeaten Swindon Supermarine 3-0 in the league cup in midweek.

Their scorers were Anaclet Odhiambo (2) and Mark Janes, who converted a penalty.

Long-term absentees Decan Benjamin and Harry Whitehead both have knee injuries, while Roger James (ankle) and Mark Bell (hamstring) are also missing.

North Leigh host Wimborne Town, looking to bounce back from three successive West Division defeats Boss John Brough says he wants to start picking a settled side.

He said: “A successful side is usually a settled one, but we’ve not been able to do that because performances haven’t been good enough.

“Hopefully we can now get on a run and get some consistency.”

Defender Jordan Lymn has rejoined the club from Evesham and is set to be included tomorrow.

Thame United travel to South League West outfit Mangotsfield United.

Ben Sturgess and Ellis Hercules are slight doubts with ankle injuries.

Boss Mark West said: “We’re expecting a physical challenge against a big, strong side, but I’m confident that we can do well with the pace we have in our side.”

TOMORROW’S FA TROPHY SQUADS

North Leigh (v Wimborne, home): from Agboola, Keightley, Grabe, Wellon, Stevens, Wood, Seacole, Waldon, Hopkins, Mendes, D James, Carroll, Harris, Petriaggi, Thomas, Price, Isaac, Lymn.

Didcot Tn (v Shortwood Utd, away): from Bedwell, Barder, Jeacock, McNeil, Elkins, Cattell, Learoyd, Humphries, McNish, Reid, Pin, Woodley, Joyce, Ballard, Parish, Mortimore, Murphy.

Kidlington (v Winchester City, home): from Tetek, Warrell, Quainton, Eddie Odhiambo, Wharton, Franklin, Brown, Castle, Gabbidon, Eric Odhiambo, Coyle, Willoughby, Coyle, A Odhiambo, Janes, Browne, Martin, Osborne-Ricketts, Williams.

Thame Utd (v Mangotsfield Utd, away): from Hill, Murray, Lynn, Smyth, Hercules, Sturgess, Connell, Goss, Morris, West, Ricketts, Johnston, Gledhill, Dennis, Evans, Harrison.

BANBURY United will look to halt a run of three straight defeats when they travel to Basingstoke Town in the Evo-Stik South Premier tomorrow.

The Puritans lost 5-3 on penalties to Didcot Town in the Southern League Cup in midweek, although boss Mike Ford had rung the changes.

However, the manager is looking for improvement when they travel to Hampshire.

“Some players played themselves into contention on Tuesday,” he said.

“Others will need to train well and give me some choices to make.

“I did rest a few in midweek, but I would say weneed to tighten up a bit in general.”

He added: “I will be picking the best starting XI that I can in order to get a result.”

Banbury Utd (v Basingstoke Tn, away): from Harding, Hawtin, Bradbury, Nash, Johnson, Carnell, Westbrook, Self, Louis, Leam, Howards, Shamsi, Martin, McDonagh, Winters, Pond, Peak-Pijnen, Humphreys, James.