EDDIE Odhiambo says North Leigh’s friendly with Oxford United is a chance to show how far they have come.

The U’s will take several first-team players to Eynsham Park for today’s pre-season friendly (12.30pm), before another strong line-up visits Banbury United at 4pm.

It is almost a year to the day since a youthful United side won 3-0 at North Leigh in Odhiambo’s first game in charge, kicking-off a campaign that ended in promotion for the Millers.

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The former U’s player, who misses today’s match because his mum is getting married, has learned a lot since then and hopes his team can show they have improved, too.

He said: “It was my first match and I almost look at it through gritted teeth when I think about all the things I didn’t know, which I’m much more aware of now.

“We’ve developed a lot since then and I’m hoping we do ourselves justice.

“It’ll have a testimonial feel around the ground but definitely not on the pitch.

“It’s brilliant that first-team players are coming down and that Matty Taylor, an absolute legend of North Leigh is going to be in the team.

“That in itself is going to be really exciting for the club and him.

“He may not remember the slope as it was, but he’ll soon get used to it again.”

Taylor reignited his career at North Leigh with a prolific spell between 2009 and 2011 following his release by United.

It earned him a move to Forest Green Rovers and he soon became an established Football League striker.

READ MORE: Matty Taylor relishing reunion with North Leigh

The No 9 will not be the only star on show, with Marcus Browne, Billy Bodin and Marcus McGuane among the senior U’s players expected to be involved.

North Leigh are set to be without new signing Matt Nutt and captain Luke Carnell.

The friendly was created last year to celebrate the life of Lloyd Calcutt, a loyal supporter of both clubs who died in January 2021 after contracting Covid.

Odhiambo added: “I hope his family are present again, able to enjoy the day and see the esteem he was held in.

“It’s becoming an annual game and I hope it stays that way.”

Later on, another former United player takes on his former club when Andy Whing’s Banbury host Karl Robinson’s side.

The U’s will name another strong line-up in north Oxfordshire, with one unnamed forward who has been training with the club this week set to be included.

Whing’s men started pre-season almost three weeks ago and the Banbury boss is ready for the challenge.

He said: “It’s going to be a real test for us and put a lot of money in the coffers.

“We just have to concentrate on giving the right amount of minutes to certain players.

“We’ve done a lot of fitness work but the lads have all come back in really good shape. Hopefully we see the benefits down the line.”