North Leigh U12’s seal victory over Kidlington Youth Celtic in the opening league game with 3 second half goals to run out 4-1 winners.

North Leigh started their U12’s OMBL season with a home tie against Kidlington Youth, last seasons cup winners.

The first 5 minutes saw concerted pressure from the NL boys, forcing two corners, but the Kidlington defence was robust. Kidlington closed down NL well and restricted their passing game, but mid way through the first half, Sam ‘Sherpy’ Moore made a good run down the right flank and released Shay Kelly, who beat the full back and then saw his shot blocked by the keeper, but slotted in the rebound from a narrow angle for North L to take the lead 1-0.

Just 2 minutes later, Kidlington responded with an equaliser after a cross was not cleared and Will Newcombe’s shot took a deflection to loop over NL keeper Ethan Mullis and in to the goal.

The remainder of the first half, saw both teams battle it out in midfield and the half finished 1-1.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw some strong challenges flying in, the game was broken up by a number of injuries, and both teams were forced to bring on replacements, Following a collision with the Kidlington keeper Shay Kelly was replaced by Charlie Cassidy and Mason Muckleburg also limped off, to be replaced by Jamie Collins.

Kidlingtons constant pressurising of the NL players was beginning to take its toll and more space became available in midfield. Zak Oliver made a searching run through the centre and slipped a ball through to Charlie Cassidy, who turned the centre back and fired a shot in to the top corner from the edge of the box, for North Leigh to take the lead, 2-1.

Going in to the final quarter of the game, North Leigh began to find more space and dominate possession, with less than 10 minutes to go Zak Oliver went on a mazy run dribbling through the Kidlington defence and finished with a fine left footed chip over the advancing keeper, for 3-1 to North Leigh.

The final 5 minutes was all North Leigh, Zak Oliver again dribbling his way through and making space for a fine strike in to the far corner, to seal the win 4-1 to North Leigh