Premier Division
North Leigh FC 2 Didcot Town 0
Monday, 03 January 2005
Didcot Town started the New Year with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at North Leigh on Bank Holiday Monday.
The visitors dominated much of the game but a mixture of wayward finishing, great goalkeeping and the woodwork denied Town at least a share of the points.
Didcot's Joey Beauchamp had two shots in the first three minutes as Town started on the offensive but it was North Leigh who struck with their first meaningful attack. Dave Green misjudged a high through ball and Harry Burnley scored at the third attempt from close-range. Robbie Wyatt almost extended the lead shortly after but keeper Chris Webb saved bravely at his feet. Beauchamp sliced a shot narrowly wide after being put through by Jamie Heapy and then Leigh's Stuart Huxley did well to clear the ball under pressure from Stuart Beavon following a good cross from Paul Powell. Andy Parrott started the move that led to a brilliant save from keeper Alan Foster in the 18th minute. Parrott fed the ball to Beavon on the left and Ian Concannon's header from 4 yards out was somehow turned away for a corner by Foster. Matty Jack tried his luck from 25 yards a minute later but again Foster was equal to it. Beauchamp brought a comfortable save from Foster midway through the half with a free-kick from just outside the box, and in Town's next attack Beauchamp shot wide from 20 yards. Parrot shot over before veteran defender Mark Lewis blocked another Parrott effort for the expense of a corner. The last chance of the first half saw Beauchamp head Parrott's out swinging cross wide at the far post.
Half Time: 1-0
A brilliant run and cross from Beauchamp just after the break was headed inches over by Concannon as Didcot tried desperately to equalize. But at the other end Leigh could have extended their lead but for a brave save from Webb as Andy McCabe broke clear. Parrott struck the post with a header for the visitors in the 58th minute, and in the same attack Beavon and then Green had goal bound shots blocked. A quick free-kick from Beauchamp sent Grant Goodall clear and Foster pulled off a stunning save from Concannon's close-range header. Danny Campbell's header was saved by Foster and the busy North Leigh keeper was again in action to deny substitute Laurence Hoey before the home side grabbed the all important second goal with 10 minutes remaining. Wyatt, who looked dangerous on the break all game, latched on to a long ball on the left and he coolly slotted home past Webb. Glynn Jones had a shot blocked by Darren Maisey and in the closing moments Jack thumped the crossbar with a deflected drive. From the resulting corner Goodall shot wide from 12 yards. Didcot had two late chances fired well-over by Parrott and Beavon but they were unable to score the consolation that their efforts had surely deserved.
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