Report

AFC WALLINGFORD 0-8 NORTH LEIGH

RAMPANT YELLOWS FINISH SEASON ON HIGH AND AWAIT THEIR FATE

North Leigh ended their pulsating Hellenic League season with an emphatic 8-0 victory at struggling AFC Wallingford which puts the Yellows on top of the table by goal difference, and their title hopes now rest on rivals Almondsbury losing at Abingdon Town on Saturday.

Goals were the order of the day for Leigh to have any hope of overhauling Alomindsbury, and they made the perfect start with three in the first fifteen minutes. Chris Allen headed home from a Simon Futcher cross after good work by Andy McCabe iin the fifth minute, Joe Burnell made it 2-0 with a simple far post tap-in and Allen notched his second following a penetrating run and cross and cross from Mark Threlfall. Wallingford keeper Craig Evans made a superb diving save to deny Mark Simms, and it was the home keeper's endeavors that kept the rampant Leigh forwards at bay until the interval. HT 0-3 .

It was one-way traffic again after the break but the Wallingford rearguard were being inspired by further saves from Evans who denied Allen and Threlfall, but the Yellows patience was rewarded on 65 minutes when Simms headed home from Threlfall's cross to make it 4-0. The floodgates were open now and five minutes later Simms converted from the spot after Allen had been brought down, and with ten minutes remaining Simms notched a hat-trick from a pinpoint Ben Reardon cross to make it 6-0.

Chris Allen's hat-trick made it seven with three minutes remaining, lashing into the roof of the net after a jinxing Mark Dennis run and pass, and when Allen notched his fourth in stoppage time to make it 8-0, it was the Yellows 123rd league goal of a thrilling campaign. Ninety-six points would secure the league title in most seasons, but whether their final position is first or second, North Leigh have enjoyed a memorable season, the Oxfordshire Senior Cup victory being the undoubted highlight.

END
Steve Smith