North Leigh were always struggling after hosts Stratford scored two excellent goals in the first 15 minutes of their 3-1 defeat at Startford Town in Division 1 South & West on Saturday.

The visitors started with reserve keeper Kane Lewis in goal due to Matt Bulman being unavailable, and the midfield pairing of Kieran Sanders and Callum McNish were missing through suspension and injury.

North Leigh started well, with Jamie Cook seeing a 25- yard shot saved by Andy Kemp in the Stratford goal, before the hosts took a fourth-minute lead.

Aaron Moses-Garvey broke forward before hitting a stunning left-foot shot from 18 yards that flew past Lewis into the top right corner of the net.

Morgan Williams looked like equalising for North Leigh after being set up by Elliott Osborne-Ricketts’ excellent pass, but could only shoot straight at Kemp.

And they were made to pay when Stratford doubled the lead on 15 minutes with a great 16- yard strike from Kevin Charley flew past Lewis into the top left corner of the net.

Striker Tyrone Fagan was causing problems for the Millers’ defence, while at the other end Cook saw his close-range shot blocked.

After the break, the Millers were forced onto the back foot, with Moses-Garvey and Alex Price going close to adding to hosts’ tally.

The visitors hopes disappeared when they conceded a sloppy goal after 53 minutes.

ON MARK: Morgan Williams scored North Leigh’s goal in their 3-1 loss at Stratford Town on Saturday to further dent their Division 1 South & West play-off hopes PRINTED and published by Newsquest Oxfordshire - a Gannett company - trading as the Witney Gazette, Newspaper House, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EJ (01865) 425262.

9 770962 859084 12 FOOTBALL Michael Hopkins passed back to keeper Lewis, who saw his kick out charged down and rebound into the net off Fagan.

The Millers responded well, with Williams seeing his 18-yard shot pushed around a post by Kemp.

North Leigh kept up the pressure and pulled a goal back on 56 minutes.

Jon Else went on a mazy run and beat the defenders before squaring the ball to Williams who slotted the ball home from six yards.

The Millers tried hard to claw back the deficit, but Else, Hopkins and George Seacole saw their efforts go just wide.

North Leigh: Lewis, Hole, Hopkins, Turk (Gunn 81), Caton, Westlake, Else, Osborne-Ricketts, Cook, Woodley, Williams (Seacole 64). Sub not used: McNish.

Attendance: 214.

lLAST Wednesday night North Leigh lost at Corby Town in the semi-final of the Red Insure Cup. Full report page 39.

On Saturday, North Leigh entertain Evesham United at Eynsham Park. EVO-STIK SOUT