Millers pick up first point on the road

Despite dominating the majority of the game, the Millers had to settle for a draw in their first away game of the season against Thame.

Just a couple of days after starting the season North Leigh made the short trip to Thame United for their first away game of the season.

Having suffered narrow defeats in both home and away games last season, the Millers were keen to avenge those results and record a victory against their near Oxfordshire neighbours. Hosts Thame, following an opening weekend defeat away to Bedford, were also keen to put in a performance and get their season up and running on home soil.

Two changes were made to the North Leigh team for the fixture. Summer recruit Ekow Elliott was handed his full debut after coming off the bench against Berkhamsted, and Roger James was given his first start of the new season. Thame have a few former Millers in their squad, but none where selected in the match day line-up.

The match started in glorious conditions, with the evening sunshine beaming down on an immaculate playing surface at the ASM Stadium.

North Leigh started the game positively looking to get the ball wide into the channels, and centrally for on running midfielders. An early chance fell their way when the ball was lofted in from wide to striker George Seacole, but he couldn’t generate enough power with his header to trouble the home keeper Craig Hill.

The Millers found themselves in control for much of the first half, finding space in the attacking half, but were unable to find the final ball through to create a clear scoring opportunity. Thame were restricted to playing on the break and long balls out of defence, but were repelled by a very composed back four.

North Leigh finally found the break through on 35 mins. A perfectly weighted ball was played in behind the Thame defence, and pulled back for Tyriq Hunte to fire firmly into the bottom of the goal. Just rewards for a first half that saw the Millers well on top, limiting their opponents to a handful of half chances.

As expected, the home side rallied after the interval gaining a stronger hold on the game and getting forward with greater urgency and precision than during the first half. As the hour mark ticked by, the home side were rewarded for their improvement. Matthew Peake-Pijnen scoring a stunner from all of 25 yards.

North Leigh continued to push forward in numbers though, after the equaliser, and a couple of minutes later were presented with the opportunity to regain the lead. A through ball was played into the box and controlled by Seacole, who, though managing to stay on his feet, was clearly caught by the defender with a penalty awarded. Jordy Ngathe took the responsibility, but Hill in the home goal produced a smart stop to his left pushing the ball away from trouble as well.

The Millers did not let the disappointment show, and continued to look forward and press for the lead again. With just over 15 mins left in the contest they won a free kick out on the left wing. Callum McNish stepped up and delivered a teasing cross in between defence and goalkeeper, Captain Ben Brown coming up from the back to prod home.

It is often said that a team is most vulnerable just after scoring, and so it proved for the Millers. The lead lasted less than two minutes as a counter attack from Thame saw them equalise for a 2nd time through their no.10 Daniel West. Another shot from outside the box, seemed to catch goalkeeper Muhammed Otuyo by surprise as it went past him.

Both sides pressed for a winner in the final ten minutes of the match, but to no avail as it finished all square.

No doubting Thame will be the happier of the sides and see the result as a point gained and the Millers will rue the missed penalty in the second half that could have won them the game. The result should not take away from what was a largely positive and confident display from the team.

Next up for North Leigh is an August Bank Holiday weekend double bill, with games on Saturday and Monday. Starting off with a trip to another local team Aylesbury Vale Dynamos as the road to Wembley starts for the Millers. An early kick off at one o’clock on Monday sees a second local derby inside a week as newly promoted Wantage Town make the trip to Eynsham Park. Positive results in both these games could really kick start the Millers season!

North Leigh Web Site