FAIRFORD Town manager Gareth Davies admits that this weekend’s Hellenic League Challenge Cup clash with Finchampstead is something of a distraction as his team look to continue their push for promotion to the Premier Division.

In-form Fairford, who were unbeaten in six matches leading in to last weekend’s FA Vase defeat to Brimscombe & Thrupp, are currently second in the Division One West table, three points behind leaders Cheltenham Saracens, with two games in hand on local rivals Purton in third.

But Davies’ men must wait for a return to league action as they make the trip to Berkshire for a second-round Challenge Cup tie on Saturday, locking horns with Finchampstead, who are in comparatively fine fettle in second spot in Division One East.

The Fairford boss isn’t planning on going hell for leather for victory this weekend, conceding that a tilt at promotion remains his primary concern.

“It’s one of those ones. Again, if we go there and get something, happy days, but if we don’t, it’s not the end of the world,” said Davies, whose team finished second-bottom last term.

“This year, the league is what we need. We need to get promoted.

“So yes, it’s a distraction because teams are obviously catching us up but we’ve got the points in the bag at the minute, so we just need to keep going.

“We have a side here that are capable of doing things at this level and anything’s better than last year.

“Last year was horrific for us and in the summer, we addressed the problems we had. We brought in players that have come in and made a difference, which is pushing us in the right direction.

“For me, the league is what we need to concentrate on.

“After Finchampstead, it’s Purton and Cheltenham, who are third and first, so I’ve got one eye on that.”

Elsewhere, Shrivenham go looking to bounce back from their humbling at league leaders Cheltenham when they make the trip to Tytherington Rocks in the league.