FOOTBALL: North Leigh undo their good work (From Witney Gazette)

FOOTBALL: North Leigh undo their good work

12:13pm Tuesday 25th March 2008

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North Leigh boosted their title hopes with a superb 1-0 victory at Almondsbury on Saturday, but then suffered a big set-back as they were held to an extraordinary 4-4 draw by Wantage Town on Easter Monday.

The weekend's results leaves them three points clear at the top of the Premier Division, although Almondsbury and Hungerford have games in hand on Mark Gee's team.

The weekend began so well for North Leigh as they became the first team to beat Almondsbury on their own ground this season.

Their hero was youngster Ben Reardon, whose second-half strike gave them a crucial three points.

Chris Allen's introduction after the break gave North Leigh the impetus they had lacked in the first half.

The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when a James Mortimer-Jones corner was only partially cleared, and Reardon drilled home a low shot from 15 yards.

It was almost 2-0 moments later as Mark Simms headed just over the bar.

But all their good work was undone on Monday, although it could have been worse for North Leigh as they equalised in stoppage time to snatch a point.

The home side were rocked after just 30 seconds when Garry Hartley tapped in, and Wantage went 2-0 up on 19 minutes as Ellis Langford fired home.

Paul Cooper reduced the arrears before half time, heading home from a corner, then in the second half, Joe Burnell looped a header over Wantage keeper Luke Alford to equalise.

However, Wantage regained the lead through Matty Horsell, only for James Mortimer-Jones's 30-yard screamer to level the scores once again.

As North Leigh surged forward in search of a winner, they were caught on the break as Paul Day drilled home to make it 4-3 to Wantage.

But deep into stoppage time, North Leigh's pressure was rewarded with another equaliser as Simms volleyed home from Andy McCabe's header.

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