BANBURY United boss Mike Ford is excited with the prospect of facing different opponents in their Evo-Stik South League campaign, which begins with a trip to Rushall Olympic

tomorrow.

The Puritans are preparing for a new challenge in Premier Division Central having been switched from the Premier Division South during the summer.

Ford said: “At this time of year everyone is looking forward to a new season and we are no different to other teams.

“It’s a new league that we will be going into, which only increases that excitement.

“The pre-season has been kept intentionally short in comparison with most clubs but at times it has felt like we’ve been in for months.

“The training and the delivery of the training sessions has been first class and has been as good as I can remember.

“The opportunity to play my strongest team has not arisen, however, as there have been lots of players unavailable for different reasons, which has led to some particularly disjointed performances.

“Now, the squad is beginning to take shape and I have most of the players to select from – although still had five missing for our game against Aylesbury last weekend.”

The Division 1 Central programme, involving Didcot Town, Kidlington, North Leigh and Thame United starts a week tomorrow.

PLAYERS IN: Eddie Odhiambo (Kidlington) player/coach), Lee Henderson (Oxford City), Mark Bell (Kidlington), Lewis Gabbidon (Kidlington), Greg Kaziboni (Biggleswade), Steve Diggin (Brackley Tn), Harry Whitehead (Kidlington), Ben Baker (Kettering Tn), Ravi Shamsi (Maidenhead – loan), James Goff (Northampton Tn - loan).

PLAYERS OUT: Elliot Sandy (Corby Tn), Tom Bradbury (Dundee), Luke Carnell (Didcot Tn), Tom Winters (Redditch Utd), Leam Howards (Redditch Utd), Paul Stonehouse (unknown).