FAIRFORD Town face a defining game in their season this weekend as the top two in Hellenic League Division One West meet at The Bourne.

Gareth Davies’ side travel to Oxfordshire with a four-point cushion over Hook Norton at the summit but know a win is important if they are to get a stranglehold on the title, with the hosts having two games in hand.

Fairford have had the luxury of a full week to prepare for the tie, while Hook were in Oxfordshire Senior Cup action on Tuesday – a game they lost 3-0 away at Southern League Premier Division side Banbury United – but Davies is trying to downplay the importance of the top-of-the-table clash.

“It has got the potential to be quite a big one,” said Davies.

“I obviously don’t want to big it up too much because I don’t want to put pressure on the lads.

“Everybody knows it has the potential to be a big one but we have to go there with our game heads on and do the right things in the right areas.

“It would be nice to come away with something. Going there and not getting beaten is the key, we’ve got to try and get something from the game.

“We try and get something from every game, to be fair. I just think if we go there and do the right things, we’ll be OK.”

Fairford will be without Lee Smith, who cut his foot open last weekend, for the trip, while Scott Chilcott (broken nose) and Nathan Blackford (groin) will also be sidelined.

Luke Cordery returned from a hamstring injury last weekend to boost Fairford and while tomorrow’s game may have a big say in which way the title goes, Davies believes there are more sides than just those meeting in Oxfordshire still in the chase.

“I think Abingdon are the best side we have played this year,” he added, with Abingdon 11 points off the pace but also having two games in hand over the Cinder Lane side.

“They are a very good side and I was impressed by them.

“Hook Norton have got to go to them as well, so it is setting up quite nicely and I think it will be a very interesting run-in.

“I can’t grumble with where we are in the league at this moment in time. We’ve got a lot of cup games to play as well, so there is lots to play for on all fronts.

“I think it is good for the lads as well because they deserve a bit of success but we have got to do it in the part of the season where it counts.”

Elsewhere, Purton will be looking to overhaul Abingdon, who host New College Swindon, when they travel to second-from-bottom Tytherington Rocks.

Finally, Shrivenham will look to put last weekend’s defeat to Clanfield 85 behind them when they play Easington Sport away.