North Leigh manager Mark Gee believes his side are perfectly placed to challenge for promotion from Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West in the second half of the season, writes Matthew Bruce.

The Millers climbed back up to second in the table, four points behind leaders Cinderford Town, with a comfortable 3-1 home win over Didcot Town on Boxing Day, but were forced to wait to build on that as their trip to Marlow on Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

However, Gee is feeling positive about North Leigh’s prospects in 2016.

“We’re in a position we certainly would have taken at the beginning of the season,” he said.

“But it doesn’t really matter where we are in the table now – what’s important is where we are at the end of the season.

“I said at the start that we’ll only be able to judge how things stand after Christmas.

“And now it looks as though there are seven or eight sides who can win the league and we’re one of them.”

After infuriatingly missing out on a play-off place last season by ten points following a patchy campaign, Gee is pleased his side have optimised their chances of making the grade this time with a strong start.

He added: “It’s nice not to be playing catch-up.

“In the last few years, we’ve had to put together a run in order to challenge for promotion.

“Now other sides have to have good runs in order to catch us.”

This Saturday, North Leigh are at home to mid-table side Bishops Cleeve.