NORTH Leigh boss Mark Gee is aiming for a place in the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time as his side travel to Chesham United on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce.

The Millers have won 12 of their 13 games in all competitions so far this season and although Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division side Chesham will provide a stern test, Gee is confident his side can overcome their higher-league opponents.

“I think it focuses the mind and we know we’ve got to perform against a higher league team,” he said.

“It means everyone will have to concentrate that little bit harder.

“I don’t think there’s a massive gap between the divisions and if you look at some of the other sides who have gone up in recent years, they’ve not struggled at a higher level.”

North Leigh, the Division 1 South & West leaders, have never gone beyond the third qualifying round in the competition before and Gee senses the opportunity to make history.

He said: “We’ve been to this stage in the past, but anything beyond that and we’ll be into new territory.

“We haven’t thought about where we could finish, it’s just about keeping the run going.”

Meanwhile a super first-half hat-trick by Morgan Williams gave North Leigh a 4-2 victory away to Bishops Cleeve in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Two identical strikes direct from free-kicks and a clinical finish capped a top display.

However, their fellow Division 1 South & West hosts replied twice through Harlie Price in a first half which produced all six goals.

Gee’s side took the lead after nine minutes when Williams curled home a free-kick over the defensive wall.

The hosts equalised five minutes later when Price’s bobbling free-kick beat an unsighted James Foster in the Millers goal.

The visitors regained the lead in the 25th minute, when Jamie Cook, starting in place of the banned Kieran Sanders, fed Aaron Woodley, who clipped home from eight yards.

There followed three goals in a hectic five minutes.

Following a foul on Wayne Turk, Williams made it 3-1 with a free-kick replica of his first goal.

Straight from the kick-off, Williams completed his hat-trick from Woodley’s through ball.

Back came the home side, with Price hitting an unstoppable volley past Foster to make it 4-2 at half-time.

There were no more goals as North Leigh held on to earn a tie away to Cirencester Town in the first qualifying round on Saturday, October 31.

North Leigh: Foster, Elkins, Hopkins, Turk, White (Westlake HT), Hole, Woodley, Osborne-Ricketts, Cook (Else 76), McNish, Williams (Fullerton 87). Sub not used: Taylor.

Attendance: 66.

North Leigh maintained top spot with a 2-0 derby victory over Wantage Town last Tuesday.

Both goals came in the first half from Williams corners.

Sanders tapped home the first on 14 minutes, with Stuart Hole doubling the lead with his head seven minutes later.