FA Carlsberg Trophy

North Leigh 3, Sholing 2

A FINE early strike from Ben Reardon set North Leigh on their way to victory over Sholing in the preliminary round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy at Eynsham Park.

Reardon’s 25-yard volley in the opening minutes put the home side in front.

Matty Taylor was denied by Sholing keeper Michael Hookway, while Karl Dodds’s overhead kick was ruled out by an offside flag.

Although Marvin McLean drilled home to pull the visitors level, North Leigh were quickly back in front in the second half.

Taylor lashed home from a Kieran Sanders pass, then Stuart Hole converted a penalty after Reardon was upended in the box.

Nick Watts lobbed the advancing Adam Lonsdale to reduce the arrears, but North Leigh held on for victory and a trip to Paulton in the next round.

North Leigh: Lonsdale, Collins, Caton, Clark (Bowles 85), Hole, Dodds, Reardon, Redknap (Posey 76), Taylor, McCabe, Sanders (Burnell 65).