JOHN Brough was delighted to start with a victory from his first match in charge of North Leigh, despite not being at their best, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The Millers opened their Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West campaign with a 1-0 win at Bridgwater Town on Saturday, courtesy of a goal by Jamie Cook.

Brough, who took over from the long-serving Mark Gee during the summer, was impressed with the professionalism his side showed to get the result.

He said: “We knew we hadn’t performed as well as we can, but we got the win.

“We won’t always perform to the high standards we’ve set ourselves, but you just have to roll your sleeves up and get the job done.

“What was really pleasing for me was that people said afterwards that this was the kind of game last year that we might not have got three points from.

“We worked hard to keep a clean sheet and when you have players like Jamie Cook and Aaron Woodley up front, you’re always in with a chance of scoring.”

The Millers came under early pressure and went close to conceding.

Bridgwater’s Tyler Davis fired a free-kick which hit the bar and bounced onto the goal line before being cleared, while keeper Conor Thompson smothered a shot from Ollie Ripley

The only goal of the game came after 25 minutes against the run of play.

Morgan Williams put in a low cross from the left that Cook reached before a central defender, and clipped the ball into an unguarded net from three yards.

The second half started in similar vein to the first half, with Bridgwater on the attack, but with Wayne Turk in front of the back four defenders, North Leigh repelled every attack.

As the half wore on, the visitors started to cause the home defence some real problems through Aaron Woodley and Eric Odhiambo.

Despite six minutes of stoppage time, the Millers comfortably held on to their lead.

North Leigh, who hosted Wantage Town last night, are at home again on Saturday, when AFC Totton visit Eynsham Park.

North Leigh: Thompson, Platt, Steedman, Turk, Hole, White, Odhiambo,Osborne-Ricketts, A Woodley, Cook (Seacole 76), M Williams (R James 63).

Subs not used: Taylor, D James, Murphy.

Attendance: 161.