Source: OxOn Football
North Leigh survived a late scare against Thame Rangers to progress to the semi finals of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup, where they’ll play Oxford City.
After Michael Hopkins added to George Seacole’s goal early in the second half it looked like it would be plain sailing, however a Shayne Almond penalty got the hosts back in the game, with the Millers just hanging on at the end despite being down to ten men.
The match started as a fairly even game, although the chances were starting to stack up for North Leigh before Seacole put them in the lead. The first of two assists for Roger James teed him up with a simple finish from in front of goal.
Sam Ashmead made two excellent saves to keep the game at 1-0. The first came before half time to deny Seacole another goal, before after the break keeping out a Morgan Williams free kick. Williams had also hit the bar from a set piece earlier in the game.
Hopkins, introduced for Jamie Cook at half time, would double the advantage though soon after. Found by James, he put enough into his shot to beat Ashmead, who despite getting close was unable to keep it out.
Thame, who play three levels below North Leigh, had seen many decisions go against them in the game but they got a vital one in their favour with the penalty award with 15 minutes left. Top scorer Almond converted, just, with his spot kick going in off the bar.
Following a coming together in the box in the aftermath of the penalty being given, tensions were flaring, and it was little surprise when a North Leigh defender saw red, for a second yellow card, with just under ten minutes left of normal time.
Thame, who might have been expected to be flagging by this point, were well and truly on a second wind, piled on the pressure in the final stages. They had credible claims for a second penalty turned down and goalkeeper Manny Agboola had to be alert, making a vital save in stoppage time to prevent the equaliser.
North Leigh saw it through in the end though, and they will meet Oxford City at a neutral venue for the right to play in the final at the Kassam Stadium. For Thame, who had beaten Hellenic League opposition twice to get this far, their performance was another sign that this is a team capable of far more than the lowly status suggests.
Attendance: 65.
