FOOTBALL: Frome is focus, says boss Stein (From The Oxford Times)

FOOTBALL: Frome is focus, says boss Stein

10:00am Friday 1st February 2013 in Football By Nick Farrant, Sports reporter specialising in Non League Football. Call me on 01865 425488

Banbury United boss Edwin Stein says he is confident his players will not be distracted by off-the-field events ahead of tomorrow’s Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division trip to Frome Town.

The Puritans’ chairman Jed McCrory is leading a consortium taking over npower League One outfit Swindon Town.

McCrory, who will be at Spencer Stadium tonight (7.30) to discuss the situation with Banbury supporters, would need special dispensation from the Football League to hold board positions at both clubs until the end of the season.

But he would then have to relinquish control of Banbury in the summer.

Stein said he hadn’t given the issue a moment’s thought as his side looks for their third win on the spin following Tuesday’s 2-0 win against Kettering which moved them to within five points of the play-offs.

“People will have seen all the headlines about Swindon, but I know that my players will be completely up for it on Saturday,” said Stein.

“We have to do our jobs properly and not be distracted.

“I will tell them that ‘it’s your job to play for Banbury United, to keep yourself fit and do the best that they can for the club’.

“I really don’t know what’s going to happen with the chairman, but for me my focus is on the football team – that’s the most important thing.

“We can’t get carried away by what’s happening off the field.”

Banbury will be without the George Allen (injured) and Stevenage loanee Joseph N’Guessan, who is playing for their under 21 side.

Didcot Town manager Gary Elkins says his side face a tough test of their five-match unbeaten run at home to Division 1 South & West high-fliers Tiverton Town.

He added: “It’s going to be a really hard game. When we went down there we played well to get a draw.

“They are a big club and they want to do well this season, so I think it will be a great test for us.”

Didcot’s only absentee is defender Callum Casson, who is back at Eastleigh after his two-month loan deal ended.

Abingdon United could give a debut to former Thatcham defender Chris Blackford when they travel to Bridgwater Town looking to end a run of six straight defeats.

The left back will be added to the squad should the paperwork be completed in time.

Boss Richie Bourne feels a win is just around the corner.

He added: “We are four points off the bottom and desperately need a good result, but I believe we have the quality to get out of this.” Abingdon will be without Ben Whitehead, who has signed for Swindon Supermarine and Carl Self, who is unavailable. North Leigh entertain Taunton Town in their first match since January 5.

Tomorrow's squad Banbury Utd (v Frome Tn, away): from Carter, Cray, Martin, Ashton, Blossom, Bridges, Lait, Skendi, Sharif, Isaac, Hopkins, Yusuff, R Plowright, Talabi, W Plowright, Dumbleton. Didcot Tn (v Tiverton, home): from Belloli-Pereira, Pereira, S Elkins, Osborne-Ricketts, Allaway, Stanley, Meade, Heapy, Haysham , Janes, M Williams, Hepburn, Harris, C Williams, Bernasconi, Griffiths, Carnell.

Abingdon Utd (v Bridgwater, away): Foster, Baker, Taplin, James, Thomas, Halliday, Biddle, Tucker, Melledew, Davis, Self, Woodley, Riccio, Nowell, Christodoulou, Blackford.

Banbury Utd (v Frome Tn, away): from Carter, Cray, Martin, Ashton, Blossom, Bridges, Lait, Skendi, Sharif, Isaac, Hopkins, Yusuff, R Plowright, Talabi, W Plowright, Dumbleton. Didcot Tn (v Tiverton, home): from Belloli-Pereira, Pereira, S Elkins, Osborne-Ricketts, Allaway, Stanley, Meade, Heapy, Haysham , Janes, M Williams, Hepburn, Harris, C Williams, Bernasconi, Griffiths, Carnell.

Abingdon Utd (v Bridgwater, away): Foster, Baker, Taplin, James, Thomas, Halliday, Biddle, Tucker, Melledew, Davis, Self, Woodley, Riccio, Nowell, Christodoulou, Blackford.