Roger Bartlett confirmed last night that he is close to completing the signings of two highly rated players.

Ex Didcot Town men, Dan Cox and Damon Smith have both impressed in training this week and Bartlett is keen to tie up contracts to keep both players at the club.

Cox, 22, is understood to be looking for a new challenge after being released by Didcot Town in the summer and would be an ideal replacement for Adam McConnell in Inter’s defence. Damon Smith is also understood to be keen on a return to the Lair and would add strength and quality to Bartlett’s midfield.

Inter must come through a tough group if they want to progress in the Didcot Festival Cup.

Last nights draw at East Hendred saw Roger Bartlett’s men paired with Division 1 runners-up Saxton Rovers, last years finalists Blewbury and fierce rivals Harwell Village.

The mouth watering tie against Harwell Village will be the first time that the sides have met since Lawton’s side romped to a 5-0 victory at the Lair in January. Memories of that day will still be painful for Inter, and they will be desperate to avenge that defeat.

On the flipside, Saxton Rovers will be keen to avenge Inter’s 2-0 victory in last season’s Charity Shield quarter finals when the two sides meet.

Old rivals Blewbury will also present a tough test for the Atomics and the result here could be a good indicator of how well Inter will preform in the top flight.

Only the top 2 sides from the group will progress to the knockout stages with the best 3rd place team also going through. Fixture dates to follow.

THE DRAW IN FULL

GROUP A
Harwell International
Blewbury
Harwell Village
Saxton Rovers

GROUP B
Sutton Courtenay
Abingdon Utd Res
Drayton
Didcot Casuals

GROUP C
Hagbourne Utd
East Hendred
Didcot Town Res
Crowmarsh Gifford

It is understood that Inter have joined the race to sign the out of contact Andy Allum. Allum, who hit 15 goals in 15 games last season for AFC Wallingford is without a club after AFC folded last month.

Crowmarsh Gifford had looked favourites to sign the powerful striker but the opportunity of top flight football that Inter can now offer may see the Atomics win the race for his signature.

Roger Bartlett has made no secret of his desire for another striker and Allum is ready made for Division 1. Club captain James Gesner, a close friend of Allum’s, could play a big role in convincing the striker that his future is at the Lair.

Gesner told www.theatomics.co.uk “We have the best playing surface and facilities in the North Berks along with a great set of supporters and division 1 football - it shouldn’t be too hard to sell the club to Allum”

“Thrown in with all of that we have the budget to offer Allum a new pair of boots as part of his contract”

After a summer of uncertainty, Harwell International had their place confirmed amongst the North Berks elite again thanks to Wallingford’s ‘A’ side finally folding. Inter looked to have fallen just short of promotion with a 3rd place finish in 2006/07 but Wallingord’s decision to pull out of Division 1 opened up a spot for Roger Bartlett’s team to go up.

Next season will see Inter go head to head with the North Berks big guns in some mouth watering fixtures. Most notably Bartlett will have his chance to gain revenge over Coleshill for the Charity Shield Final defeat in May. Inter will also face the reigning unbeaten Div 1 champions Ardington as well as re-matches against Saxton Rovers, who were beaten in last season’s Charity Shield.

The Atomics will also be tested against old rivals Drayton and Blewbury, and of course there will be 2 more Harwell derby’s - with Inter looking for revenge of the 5-0 defeat at the Lair last season. Bartlett also faces last seasons Div 2 winners Wooton and again revenge is likely to be on the menu.

Division 1 football at the Lair is sure to pull the crowds back in but many believe Bartlett still has a lot of work to do in the transfer market if he wants to avoid a quick return.

Adam McConnell is likely to be unveiled as the new Didcot Casuals manager later this month and that will leave a big hole at the heart of Inter’s back line. Also rumoured to be leaving is Darren Carter, who has yet to sign a new contract with the club. Carter, 32, had already hinted that last season could be his last at the Lair and it remains to be seen whether Bartlett can persuade his ex-skipper to stay.

Already out of the door is Kev Collins, who leaves on a free after just one year with the Atomics. The versatile defender deciding not to extend his stay at the club in favour of a return to the Reading league.

Barteltt has made no secret of his desire for another striker and top of his shopping list is likely to be former Atomic Pete Bedwell. After 2 successful seasons at Inter, Bedwell parted company with the club after falling out of favour under John King. Bedwell moved to East Hendred where he continued to feature on the scoresheet, and now Bartlett is back in charge at Inter a move home could be attractive for the popular striker.

Also on Bartlett’s shopping list is Bryn Ingram, who himself hinted that he would like a return to Inter at the end of last season. Bartlett is due to open contact talks with the pacey attacker in July.

Inter start their pre-season preparations with a trip to high flying Reading side Woodcote Stoke Row on Saturday 21st July before taking part in the Didcot Festival Cup. Negotiations are also in place for friendlies against Milton and Abingdon United Reserves.

Division 1 lineup in full:
Ardington, Saxton, Steventon, Lambourn, Faringdon, Coleshill, Drayton, Blewbury, Marcham, Village, Wooton, Inter

Inter were yesterday rewarded for their cup victory over Marcham with a glamour tie at home to Didcot Town Reserves.

The 4-2 win against Division 1 Marcham put The Atomics into yesterdays 3rd round draw and Bartlett is sure to be delighted with the money spinning tie.

The fixture will see new Town boss, Ex Wimbledon and Swindon Town star, Gary Elkins, bring his men to The Lair for the first time in their history.

Town Reserves entered the draw after narrowly beating Steventon 4-3.

The Railway men knocked Harwell out of The Intermediate Cup in last seasons 2nd round in a closely fought 1-0 win at The Loop Meadow Stadium.

The fixture will be played on December 9th with a 1.30 kick off.

In a shock move, Roger Bartlett has brought former Inter favourite Neal Smith back to the Atomics on a free transfer. The move comes after Neal expressed in the local press last week, his discontent about life at Village and how he longed for a dream move back to his former employers, Harwell International.

Neal becomes the 1st player since Lewis Maciak in 2003 to cross the Winnaway in joining Inter from arch rivals Village, with his move, like Maciaks, is set to be met with mixed emotions by the clubs fans, due to the intense rivalry between the two clubs.

However, Bartlett has no doubt about the character and ability of the man he has brought back to the layre, stating "I know the fans have question marks about players moving across the Winnaway, but I can assure them all, Neal will win them over through showing how much this club means to him, he never wanted to leave the club, and now we have him back he will bring some experience and know how to our youthful squad. The team will benefit from Neal’s versatility and ability on the ball and he will strengthen our squads push for promotion".

At yesterdays press conference Neal couldn't hide his excitement at being back "This is a dream come true, I'd like to thank the chairman and the manager for making this all possible and i'm going to work very hard to repay their faith in me and show the fans how much I want to play my football here”

“I can't wait to begin training and when I pull on the famous red shirt at the Layre again it will be a very emotional moment for me. I'm looking forward to linking up with familiar faces at training and meeting the new guys and on the whole I'm just incredibly happy to be back, I'm home at last".

Smith will train with his new club on Wednesday and will be available for selection for Harwell’s next league game.