North Leigh boss Mark Gee believes his side have a good chance of reaching the next stage after they were handed a third qualifying round trip to Evo-Stik Southern League rivals Yate Town.

It followed their shock 1-0 victory once Blue Square Bet South side Havant & Waterlooville, Kieran Sanders the scorer.

Gee’s men travel to Yate, surprise 2-1 conquerors of Oxford City, on Saturday, October 6, three days after playing them in Division 1 South & West.

Gee said he was happy to draw their league rivals.

“It’s a great draw for us,” he said.

“You either want to draw someone in your league or someone from a higher league that you know nothing about, so.

“It’s a great opportunity to go through to the next round.

“Yate have a lot of good players. They haven’t had the best of starts in the league.

“I expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

“Funnily enough, I was speaking to Mike Ford (City’s boss) on Sunday and he said they deserved to beat them.” Meanwhile, Oxford City have signed North Leigh striker Jacob Walcott.

The 20-year-old, a distant cousin of Arsenal’s Theo, was released by Reading last year and had a trial at League One Stevenage before joining North Leigh in the summer.

“He can provide width and has a lot of pace, and by all accounts he played very well against Havant,” said Ford.

“He can play off a striker and has a good pedigree.

“I’m not looking to sign him as a substitute, but to push for a place in the side.” Meanwhile, Kynan Isaac will no longer be part of his plans.

Ford added: “For the benefit of the dressing room, I have had to release him.”

CONTRARY to a report in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, Wayne Blossom has not yet signed for Banbury United.

As the central defender has not yet been released by Oxford City, he cannot join Banbury until Friday.