ROGER James scored twice as North Leigh beat Oxford United 2-1 to win the Oxfordshire Senior Cup at Thame United’s ASM Stadium.

The pacy wide man raced clear to open the scoring in the 20th minute and gave the U’s a mountain to climb with a volley early in the second half.

On the balance of play it was fully deserved, as the Millers’ experience proved too much for a United side made up entirely of youth team players.

Albie Hopkins and Graham Bryan had shots cleared off the line, before Aaron Heap pulled a goal back late on.

United pushed for an equaliser to force extra-time, but just fell short.

The Millers were quickly out of the blocks and within three minutes goalkeeper Niall Clayton was called into action, diving to his right to keep out Morgan Williams’s volley.

His opposite number was Hole, normally a centre half but continuing his run in goal due to injuries to the side’s other stoppers.

The playing surface at the ASM Stadium meant he had to watch an early shot from Aaron Heap carefully, but it was gathered cleanly.

It was an even contest, but a threadbare United could only name one substitute, Rex Mannings, who had to be used in the 18th minute.

An injury to Matt Berry-Hargreaves forced him off, leaving the U’s to play Ben Chilcott, a full back, and midfielder Aaron Heap as a centre half pairing.

Within two minutes North Leigh were in front, Roger James racing through down the right before finishing neatly.

The Millers created chances at will for the next 20 minutes.

Morgan Williams lashed a shot wide, while Clayton made several smart saves, including one terrific parry to keep out Jamie Cook’s thunderbolt in the 29th minute.

The striker, making his final appearance in competitive football, then had a goal disallowed for offside.

United were just hanging on, but had a glorious chance to level four minutes before the break.

Dejon Noel-Williams jinked into space 12 yards out and his shot was parried by Hole to Hopkins, whose effort on the rebound was blocked on the line.

United appeared to have got back on an even keel, though, but 11 minutes after the restart North Leigh doubled their lead.

A corner was flicked on to the back post, where Roger James smashed a volley low through a crowded six-yard box and into the net.

George Seacole came close to adding a third on the hour, but his header dropped just wide.

Heap fizzed a shot just over at the other end, but Hole was not troubled until he flapped at a cross 13 minutes from time. The ball fell to Graham Bryan, but his shot was cleared off the line.

United did get on the scoreboard three minutes from time. James Cowan’s free-kick hit the crossbar and rebounded for Heap to head in.

The Millers came under pressure late on, but they held firm to avoid the final going to extra-time and claimed their third Senior Cup in ten seasons.

Oxford Utd: Clayton, Carr, Berry-Hargreaves (Mannings 18), Chilcott, Bryan, Hopkins, Cowan, Baker, Heap, Napa, Noel-Williams.

North Leigh: Hole, Lymn, Hopkins (Saunders 80), D James, Wellon, Sysum, R James, L Williams, Seacole, Cook, M Williams.

Unused subs: Turk, Wyatt.

Referee: E Turner.