BOSS Mark Stevens says he still has faith that Shrivenham can avoid the drop from the Hellenic Premier.

Shrivvy have only recorded two league wins all season but Stevens, who recently took over following the departure of Les Gill, believes the Barrington Park side can stay up.

“I think we have to keep believing, once you stop doing that you don’t stand a chance,” said Stevens, whose side host Thame tomorrow.

“The biggest thing is to get confidence back. I’m only concentrating on catching Reading above us at the moment, we’ve got to take things in small steps.

“I think it’s going to be a tough game but hopefully we can get something from Thame and kickstart our season.

“We’ve got two tough games coming up after that.

“We’ve had a couple of new lads come in and hopefully we’ll have a couple of new faces next week.

“Games will come thick and fast in the next few weeks and we need to strengthen the squad a little bit.

Stevens is missing Nathan Fowler, Taylor Gill, Michael Silvanus and Paul Sanders this weekend but coming back in are Greg Higgs or Michael Scarff.

Elsewhere in the Hellenic Premier, Highworth continue their survival tilt when they take on Wantage at the Elms.

In Division One West, New College make the trip to Carterton with a full squad having not won in the league since September 15.

“We’re in a bit of a rut in terms of performance levels,” said boss Rob Hopkins.

“If we weren’t creating chances we’d be looking at things more seriously. We are creating enough chances to win games, we’re just not putting them away.

“We also need to get rid of the niggling errors that are costing us goals.”

Wootton Bassett have welcomed back utility man James Blake to the club ahead of their derby with Cricklade.

He is likely to go straight into the side with Craig Bowden suspended and Adam Corcoran away.

Rylands Way boss Dave Turner said: “I’ve had him play for me since he was nine, he can play anywhere across defence and midfield and up front as well.

“I think his best position is full-back. With a couple of full-backs missing this weekend it will be a like for like change.

“It adds quality to us and we feel that one or two will give us that final push. I’d kick myself if we didn’t sign a couple of players and just fell short.”

There are question marks over availability of Matty Bennett while Richie Saunders returns to the fold.

Turner has made a seven-day approach for a wide midfielder and hopes to speak to the player after the weekend.

For Cricklade Jack Allan came through last weekend’s cup win over Shrewton unscathed so should start, while Lee Hedges and Tommy Johnson return.

The Stones Lane side are without Ryan Thomas, Adam O’Bree, Dane Moulden and Gareth Davies so a number of reserve players could again be heavily involved.

Elsewhere in the division Lambourn welcome Clanfield, while Malmesbury entertain Maidenhead Reserves in the second round of the Supplementary Cup.