Match Preview

On Saturday we make the long trip to Oxfordshire to play North Leigh in the Evo-Stik League South West.

North Leigh vs Bideford
Evo-Stik League South West
Saturday 4th November 2017
3:00pm kick off
Eynsham Park, North Leigh

A Brief History of North Leigh FC
North Leigh FC were formed in 1908 and played at a local level for over 80 years winning the Witney & District League title seven times. They also competed in the Oxfordshire Senior League. It wasn't until the 1990/91 season when North Leigh stepped up to play in Hellenic League Division One. After two fourth place finishes they were runners-up in 1992/93 and were promoted to the Hellenic League Premier Division. An initial 14th place finish was followed by 14 consecutive top eight finishes. North Leigh were Hellenic League champions in 2001/02, 2002/03 and again in 2007/08 when they accepted promotion to the Southern League. In the nine seasons North Leigh have played in Southern League Division One South & West they have never finished outside of the top ten, finishing 6th in 2016/17.

North Leigh FC
Eynsham Park
North Leigh
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX29 6SL
Tel: 01993 880157
Web: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/northleighfc
Twitter: @NorthLeigh_FC

Form Guide
North Leigh have had an up and down season so far sitting 13th in the West Division (W4 D2 L6). After good wins over Slimbridge, Barnstaple Town and much fancied Salisbury, North Leigh went six games without a win before ending that run with a 1-0 victory over Mangotsfield United last time out.

North Leigh’s last six (LLLDLW)
24/10/17 North Leigh 1 Mangotsfield United 0 (League)
21/10/17 Kidlington 2 North Leigh 1 (League)
14/10/17 North Leigh 1 Wimborne Town 1 (League)
07/10/17 North Leigh 1 Wimborne Town 3 (FA Trophy PR)
30/09/17 Taunton Town 1 North Leigh 0 (League)
26/09/17 AFC Totton 2 North Leigh 1 (League)

While Bideford didn’t get their record equalling fifth straight Southern League win at Mangotsfield, the draw did make it five unbeaten ahead of the trip to North Leigh. Sadly Liam Gregory suffered a broken leg on his full debut in mid-week and will be out for approximately three months. Craig Duff remains a doubt while Stephen Reed and Max Smallcombe are still out. Bideford are currently 5th in the league (W7 D1 L3).

Bideford's last six (LWWWWD)
31/10/17 Mangotsfield United 1 Bideford 1 (League)
28/10/17 Bideford 3 Slimbridge 1 (League)
24/10/17 Bideford 3 Bristol Manor Farm 1 (League)
17/10/17 Bishop’s Cleeve 1 Bideford 2 (League)
14/10/17 Bideford 3 Cirencester Town 0 (League)
07/10/17 Moneyfields 4 Bideford 2 (FA Trophy PR)

Most recent meetings
25/03/17 Bideford 0 North Leigh 2 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
03/12/16 North Leigh 2 Bideford 1 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
10/03/12 North Leigh 1 Bideford 2 (Southern Div 1 S&W)
12/11/11 Bideford 3 North Leigh 2 (Southern Div 1 S&W)

Last season North Leigh scored a league double over Bideford, first coming from behind to win 2-1 at Eynsham Park in December and then beating The Robins 2-0 at the Sports Ground in March. North Leigh went on to finish 6th, just outside of the play off places.