Michael Hopkins grabbed a late winner as North Leigh came out on top in another Division 1 South & West nine-goal thriller.

Just five weeks after Mark Gee’s side beat Almonsbury Town 5-4 at Eynsham Park – with Matty Taylor scoring all five – they did it again, with Bideford on the receiving end this time.

North Leigh were ahead on three minutes when Andy Caton raced clear to slot under keeper Matt Armstrong-Ford.

However, Bideford capitalised on Aaron Posey being off the field injured to equalise four minutes later, with Sean Downing drilling home from close range after Adam Lon-sdale parried Ellis Laight’s shot.

Bideford were then awarded a controversial penalty when Stuart Hole was deemed to have deliberately handled a point-blank shot, but Lonsdale saved Matt Huckley’s spot-kick.

North Leigh fell behind though when Kevin Squires headed home a Downing cross at the near post.

And straight from the re-start, Squires struck again, tapping into an empty net after Lonsdale was caught in possession from a back pass.

North Leigh kept their hopes alive in the final minute of the half when Caton was adjudged to have been fouled just inside the area, and Hole fired home the spot-kick.

Seven minutes after the break it was all square thanks to a cracking low strike from 18 yards by the impressive Josh Dutton-Black.

Lonsdale denied Bideford with a superb double save, before Caton lashed home from Dutton-Black’s cross.

But Nick Barker drilled a rising shot past Lonsdale to make it 4-4.

However, North Leigh had the last word as Hole’s lofted free-kick fell to Hopkins, who deftly lobbed the keeper from ten yards.

North Leigh: Lonsdale, Posey (Redknap 7), Hopkins, Sanders, Franklin, Hole, Burnell, McCabe (Futcher 79), Taylor (Reardon 73), Caton, Dutton-Black. Sub not used: Merriman.

Attendance: 85.

  • THE Zamaretto League have ruled that North Leigh’s home league match with Bridgwater must be replayed.

The original game was abandoned due to fog on February 1 after 76 minutes, with North Leigh leading 5-0.

North Leigh have declined an appeal against the decision, and will now restage the match on Tuesday, March 29.

North Leigh travel to Bridgwater for the return match this Saturday.