Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West

Slimbridge 0 North Leigh 2

IT would be easy to say that clinical finishing was the difference between the two sides at Thornhill Park.

But, after missing a penalty, and then taking the lead with a defected shot, it was not until the 82nd minute that North Leigh, surely one of the play off contenders in the South and West Division this time round, secured the points after an encounter that will not live long in the memory.

The game was ultimately decided by North Leigh’s George Seacole, whose two goal haul, as well as winning a penalty which was not converted, saw the points go back to Oxfordshire.

With both teams cancelling each other out, the first half was largely forgettable - Seacole brought a good save from Slimbridge keeper Adrian Kowalski on 12 minutes, Jamie Martin had an effort picked off by Leigh keeper Connor Thompson, and Archie Haskayne’s shot was easily gathered after good work between Haskayne and Jack Twyman, before the main incident of the half half occurred on 41 minutes.

Alex Hoyle’s misplaced back pass was seized upon by Seacole, and Hoyle brought the North Leigh striker down as he shaped to shoot in the box. The Swans’ defender earned a yellow card, and a penalty was awarded. Slimbridge keeper Adrian Kowalski guessed correctlyt, dived to his right and gathered Lance Williams’ penalty shot to keep the scores level.

The second half started with a much brighter tempo from the home side, but they were stunned five minutes in, when Seacole’s effort took a defection to leave Kowalski stranded, and put the visitors ahead.

North Leigh should have increased their advantage when Kowalski made a superb stop from Callum McNish on 57 minutes , but as the game entered the last ten minutes, Slimbridge were still in with a chance of nicking something.

Eight minutes remained when Seacole shoved Ed Major to create some space for himself in the Swans’ box, before drilling the ball past Kowalski to seal the game. The Slimbridge appeals were in vain, as Referee Greg Rollason allowed the goal to stand to stand, and effectively killed off the game.

Slimbridge had two good opportunities to get on the scoresheet before the final whistle - Dean Turner shot too high after a scramble in the North Leigh box, and the Swans felt they had a decent shout of a penalty of their own when Sam Turl was felled in the North leigh box on 90 minutes, but again, the decision was not given in their favour, and North Leigh saw out the game comfortably to record the win.

Slimbridge now turn their attention to Tuesday night, when they travel to Hereford FC, where they are guaranteed to play in front of the largest crowd in the club’s history.

Team: Kowalski, Turl, Ryan Thwaite, Hoyle, Rich Thwaite, Turner, Twyman, Haskayne (Ward 62), Martin (Major 56), Mace, Thomas Supporters Man of the Match: Rich Thwaite