FOOTBALL: North Leigh bow out after late goal (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: North Leigh bow out after late goal

10:30am Monday 8th October 2012 in Non League

A LATE strike ended North Leigh’s hopes of reaching the fourth qualifying round for the first time as they lost 2-1 to fellow Evo-Stik Southern League side Yate in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

Yate, bottom of Division 1 South & West and without a win, are transformed in the FA Cup, having dumped out Blue Square Bet North side Oxford City in the previous round.

North Leigh conceded an early goal and missed a penalty to find themselves a goal down at half-time. They equalised after being awarded a second penalty, but were denied a place in the draw for the next round by a late goal from Mike Bryant.

The visitors fell behind after four minutes when Tom Knighton got his toe to Matt Groves’s bobbling shot to tip the ball past North Leigh goalkeeper Sam Warrell.

However, they were given a golden opportunity to equalise shortly afterwards, when Ollie Barnes blocked James Organ’s goalbound shot with his hand. Captain Stuart Hole stepped up to take the penalty, but saw his kick excellently saved by goalkeeper Josh Dempsey to preserve the hosts’ lead.

Dempsey was Yate’s saviour again shortly before the break, diving at full stretch to save a fierce 25-yard shot from John Mills.

The visitors went searching for an equaliser after the break and did so on the hour mark.

A clumsy challenge from Ollie Price felled Michael Hopkins in the penalty area and Hole stepped up again to atone for his first-half miss and level the scores.

Kieran Sanders could have secured a win for North Leigh with an excellent solo effort, embarking on a mazy run past several defenders before shooting over.

Ultimately, it was not to be.

Yate’s winner came in the 86th minute when substitute Bryant tapped in the rebound after his first shot has been saved.

North Leigh poured forward in one final desperate push for an equaliser, but it was to no avail and the hosts hung on to secure passage into the next round.

North Leigh: Warrell, Hole, Green, Turk, Franklin, Caton Else, Alexis (Clarke 65), Mills (Deabill 84), Sanders, Hopkins (Coyle 84).

Attendance: 191.

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