North Leigh complete Bank Holiday double

North Leigh picked up their 1st league win against the odds after goalkeeper Eddie Cavanagh saw red in the 1st half against Wantage Town.

Just two days on from their last gasp FA Cup victory, North Leigh were back in action at home to newly promoted Wantage Town FC. With temperatures once again approaching 30°C, it was to be a tough afternoon for the players and officials. A bumper Bank Holiday crowd made their way to Eynsham Park, with hopes high for a first league win of the season for the Millers.

Despite the short turnaround time between games only four changes were made to the starting 11. Kynan Isaac, Morgan Williams and Michael Alexis were handed debuts and George Seacole was back in at centre forward.

The Millers started the first half with real intensity and established a firm grip on the game. Looking solid at the back, moving the ball effectively between the lines and creating opportunities in the final third. Adam Learoyd, up from the back, was unfortunate to see an early effort hit the crossbar with the rebound unable to be followed up. Seacole got on the end of a fine through ball, firing a fierce shot in on target that was matched by Charlie McCready in the Wantage goal. Callum McNish judged a lofted ball over the away defence perfectly for Williams run, but his effort was saved as well.

The breakthrough finally came just before the half hour mark. McNish spotted the run of Lance Williams breaking into the box and delivered a teasing cross in. Williams was unable to get a clear header in as he challenged the away keeper and centre back. It did however fall nicely for Seacole to smash home into the unguarded net making it 3 goals from 4 games for the striker.

The Millers continued to look sharp after taking the lead, but Wantage began to gain more of a foothold in the game. They were almost handed a way back in when Williams misjudged a header back to home goalkeeper Edward Cavanagh, taking the goalie out of the game. The Wantage attacker pounced on the mistake but could only flash the ball across the box with nobody central to take advantage.

Five minutes before half time and a lifeline for the away side arrived. A long ball was played over by Wantage, inexplicably finding an away team striker one on one with the advancing Cavanagh. The striker went to lift the ball over the keeper, but the ball was judged to have struck his arm and with Cavanagh outside of his area, the referee was left with no choice but to send him off for stocking a clear goal scoring opportunity. With no substitute keeper on the bench, the green jersey was handed to Williams on his returning debut. From the resulting free kick, Tom Stanley stepped up and curled the ball low past the wall and, as Williams got down, the ball appeared to bounce in front of and over him into the net. The away side were level right on half time, with a seemingly impossible second 45 in store for the Millers.

North Leigh came out for the second half and showed real resolve in not allowing their opponents to get into the game. They were certainly not playing like a team with 10 men.

15 mins into the second half and they were rewarded for their positive start. Jordy Ngathe slipped a ball in behind for George Seacole to run on to. The away defender clearly thought the ball was going to run out of play down the hill but it held up and allowed the closing Seacole to nip in and take possession right on the by-line. Advancing towards the six-yard box he had the presence of mind to pull the ball back to McNish, who calmly slotted home to restore the Millers lead.

The final quarter of the game continued in the same manner with all of the Millers players putting in a tremendous effort under tough conditions and restricting their opponents to half chances at best. In fact they could have claimed a third goal as Roger James, on from the bench, intercepted a poor square ball on the half way line. James played in Harry Grant to run in on goal but as he cut back he couldn’t make the shot count and the chance was lost.

Inside the last ten minutes of the match, Wantage were presented with an opportunity to go level again. The Millers conceding a free kick just outside of the box offering Wantage their best chance of the second half. The ball was curled up and over the wall destined for the top corner but makeshift keeper Williams flew to his left and got a strong pair of hands on the ball, palming it away for a corner. A tremendous save from the outfield player worthy of winning any game and one which kept his team ahead.

No further chances fell to either team before the referee called time. North Leigh recording their first league win of the season and completing a Bank Holiday weekend double. Plenty of tenacity and spirit was shown by all of the Millers squad in the second half and no doubt joint managers Craig Dore and Darren James will be delighted with each players’ application. Wantage were perhaps left to rue running up the hill in the second half.

North Leigh return to action next Saturday with an away trip to St. Neots Town FC. The Cambridgeshire side were relegated last year from the Premier Central and both teams have started the season with a win, a draw and a loss. A competitive match looks on the cards but the Millers will go there full of confidence now and look to bring three points back with them to West Oxfordshire.

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