IT WILL be a case of entering the unknown for Fairford Town this weekend when they take on Virginia Water in the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Despite being 22 games into a 36-game season and sitting in third, Fairford has not yet faced off against Virginia this season.

The Surrey outfit has played 26 games meanwhile, but are doing far less well having won just eight games and down in 13th place.

Therefore Town manager Jody Bevan has no previous meetings to go on for analysis and training, and has been forced to rely on word of mouth to understand the upcoming opponents.

Bevan has always preferred to focus on his own team’s strengths however, and believes Fairford will have to play somewhere near their best in order to avoid becoming another one of Virginia Water’s upsets.

He said: “We haven’t played Virginia Water this season, so we’re entering a bit of unknown territory.

“I look at their results, and note that they cause the occasional upset.

“Every team has its threats, and often in this league it is about who turns up on the day. If we play to our potential, then it takes a good side to beat us.

“We are missing a few players at the moment, and it’s likely that will be the case on Saturday.

“So I’m looking for players to put in a similar shift to last weekend.”

Though Fairford has not been particularly struggling to score goals of late – Bevan’s team has managed 11 goals from their previous five matches – the Town boss would like to bring in another forward to the club if possible.

Bevan said he would not rush to do so however, and is happy to continue giving his youth team players a chance if necessary.

“If something materialises and we find ourselves in a position where we can strengthen, then of course I will look into it,” said the Town boss.

“It’s not something I’m actively chasing, though. We are light on the ground in terms of forwards at the moment, and if we were to lose another to injury then we might be forced to look elsewhere.

“But, at the moment, we’ve got a reserve team and we have called on them and so far they have performed.

“In that respect, it saves me having to look elsewhere because I know I’ve got good players within the club that I can turn to.”

Elsewhere, Royal Wootton Bassett Town are away to Binfield while Shrivenham travel to Brackley Town Saints.