North Leigh Take the Lead But Are Unable to Hang On

North Leigh unlucky to get nothing from a close encounter at Eynsham Park

North Leigh 1 – 2 Cirencester Town

North Leigh probably surprised their visitors by taking the lead on 16 minutes as defender Bradley Chalmers firmly headed the ball past keeper Matuesz Wierczorek from a corner. The corner was the third in under a minute as Leigh piled on the pressure sensing a breakthrough. This was after Cirencester had most of the early chances with the Leigh keeper Ross Grimshaw making some excellent saves, the block on 6 minutes after Tommy Anderson was put clear being the best of the lot.

Cirencester were not to be denied however and, after a couple of close shaves, Leigh conceded as a low cross into the box from the left on 33 minutes, was tapped home at the far post by the visitors skipper and main striker Alan Griffin.

HT: North Leigh 1 – 1 Cirencester Town

The second half saw more early pressure from Cirencester but the Leigh defence held firm until on 66 minutes a free kick just inside the Leigh half was floated into the home penalty area where home defender Matt Sysum and Griffin both rose to head the ball with the unlucky Sysum being credited with an own goal as the ball spun off his head and rolled into the net beyond the reach of Grimshaw.

Leigh raised their game and half chances towards the end fell to George Seacole, Josh Thomas and substitute Piers McGlynn but the visitors defence held firm.

FT: North Leigh 1 – 2 Cirencester Town

North Leigh: Grimshaw, Lymn, Grabe, Sysum, Keightley, Chalmers, Thomas, James, Seacole, Shepperd (McGlynn 67), Hathaway Subs not used: Smith, Harvey, McDonough, Brough

Attendance: 101

Referee: Mr Matthew Perry from Cheltenham