North Leigh Secure an Excellent Victory at Eynsham Park

Bideford twice take the lead but North Leigh hit back to gain all three points

North Leigh 4 – 3 Bideford

This was an excellent result against a team high up in the league and on a good run particularly as the Millers had to fight back twice from losing positions.

The visitors started the stronger of the two teams and Leigh were on the back foot for the early part of the game. On 17 minutes Bideford main striker, Craig Duff, got the first of his two goals as he was put in on goal and clipped a left foot shot, from 4 yards, past debutant OUFC loan keeper Niall Clayton.

As the half wore on Leigh got more into the game and George Seacole got a deserved equaliser on 39 minutes as a strong run down the right saw him finish with a powerful right foot shot that beat keeper Steve Oliver from 8 yards.

A minute later Bideford regained the lead as Duff saw his header from a lofted free kick beat Clayton and drop over his head into the net.

HT: North Leigh 1 – 2 Bideford

The second half was a totally different story as Leigh tore into the visitors and hit three goals in a blinding 8 minute period. Matt Grabe hit a stunning left foot shot from an acute angle on 54 minutes after a good run down the left. Dejon Noel-Williams scored four minutes later after he beat the keeper to a through ball and finished off neatly and on 62 minutes Seacole got his second goal of the game and probably the best of the lot as he latched onto a great through ball from Connor Waldon drew the keeper and hit a lofted shot over the keeper from 15 yards.

However the game had a tense finish following a straight red card for Waldon on 77 minutes following a tussle with Bideford’s Sean Downing as the visitors threw caution to the wind and attacked constantly seeking to get something from the game. Clayton in goal for Leigh made a couple of spectacular saves to keep the visitors out but he could do nothing as in added time they scored a third goal through substitute James Mayne following a corner as his fierce right foot drive through a pack of players found the back of the net but it was not enough and the home side hung on to grab all three points.

FT: North Leigh 4 – 3 Bideford

North Leigh: Clayton, Lymn, Hopkins, James, Wellon, Paddock, Mattock, Noel-Williams (McGlynn 70), Seacole (Keightley 90), Waldon, Grabe (Mendes 76)

Attendance: 72

Referee: Mr Craig Simpson from Crawley, West Sussex