DECLAN Benjamin’s arrival at Didcot Town is a signal of intent, according to player-manager Andy Ballard.

The midfielder made the switch from Banbury United ahead of the Railwaymen’s 2-2 draw at Evesham United on Tuesday and is in line to feature again when Didcot travel to Paulton Rovers tomorrow in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West.

“He came in and did really well in what was his first game for a while,” said Ballard.

“I think it shows our intent that we’ve signed a player effectively from two leagues above, because his last competitive game was at Oxford City.

“That’s the calibre of player we’re looking to bring to the club.”

Despite Benjamin’s arrival, Didcot’s injury woes remain, with Luke Carnell (ankle), Alex Woodhouse (foot), Nick Thorne (dead leg) Ryan Barney (knee) and Jack Longford (shoulder) all out this weekend.

Midfielder Oli Thomas and defender Harry Beer are unavailable, leaving Ballard short of seven first-team players.

Wantage Town boss Stuart Cattell remains confident the points will come for his side as they travel to Bideford, who are also searching for their first point.

The Alfredians sit bottom of the fledgling table following heavy defeats to Paulton Rovers and North Leigh – results Cattell feels were unfair on his side.

“The lads are gutted, because they’ve played well in both games and come away with nothing,” he said.

“Being a young side, when things go against them it does affect them, but we can’t afford to be shipping the kind of goals we have done in the last two games.

“If we perform like we did on Tuesday night we will be in every game.“It’s just a case of nullifying some of those mistakes and keeping our confidence up.”

Wantage are without the unavailable Adam Doyle, Tom Butler, Jared Jones and Jake Johns, as well as injured duo Sam Brown (calf) and Tai Hulbert-Thomas (knee).

Midfielder Mason Thompson also remains a doubt after missing Tuesday’s match with a heel injury.

North Leigh host pointless AFC Totton looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.

Lewis Coyle returns for Kidlington as they entertain Farnborough in Division 1 Central.

Last season’s Uhlsport Hellenic League player of the season missed the Greens’ first two matches due to suspension but comes back into contention this weekend, alongside striker Jack Dunmall and midfielder Charlie Cassettari.

Banbury United boss Mike Ford has called for more of the same as his side welcome King’s Lynn Town in Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division tomorrow.
The Puritans have picked up where they left off after winning promotion last season, with 1-0 victories over Basingstoke Town and Slough Town in their opening two games.
And Ford is keen to keep the feel-good factor alive beyond this weekend.
“We came into this season with lots of momentum and we’ve carried it through our first few games,” he said.
“Now we’ve got to see if we can continue that for as long as possible.
“My message to the players is to just keep doing what you’re doing and the results will continue to come.”
Despite losing midfielder Declan Benjamin to Didcot Town without making a competitive appearance for the club, Ford has a full squad to choose from this weekend.
And while that could give the United manager a selection dilemma, it’s one Ford relishes.
He said: “I made three changes in the week and I’ll probably make some more to keep everyone fresh.
“We have a good squad and if I make changes, I don’t feel it will weaken us.
“In each game we’ve had different questions asked of us and on both occasions we’ve answered them.”
TOMORROW’S SQUADS
Banbury Utd (v King’s Lynn Tn, home): from Harding, White, Lynn, Nash, Westbrook, Gunn, McEachran, Self, Martin, Johnson, Janes, Barcelos, Bell, Browne, Howards, Hopkins, Blackstock.
Didcot Tn (v Paulton Rov, away): from Bedwell, Elkins, Organ, Martin, Learoyd, Barder, Keeble, Whitehead, Brooks, Reid, Collins, Janes, Tatford, Ballard, Benjamin.
Wantage Tn (v Bideford, away): from Cavanagh, Elliott, Broad, McNeill, Glover, Cattell, Kalakoutis, Robinson, Hathaway, Francis, Thorpe, Oakley, Ferris, Thompson.
Kidlington (v Farnborough, home): Warrell, Munday, Franklin, Thomas, McGowan, Willoughby, Smith, McCarthy, Coyle, Cassettari, Harvey, Dunmall, Joyce, Rice, Gaul, Castle.