FOOTBALL: North Leigh go top

NORTH Leigh went top of the Premier Divison table after a late goal from substitute Mark Dennis gave them victory over Chipping Norton in an incident-packed game at Eynsham Park on Saturday.

Chippy were down to nine men by the time that Dennis grabbed the dramatic winner.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute with a 20-yard snapshot from the dangerous Dave Skipp.

North Leigh should have equalised when awarded a penalty, but Simon Futcher's spot-kick was saved by Chippy keeper Mark Harris The home side did draw level just before the break when Liam Hope headed in after Harris had beaten out Joe Burnell's effort.

North Leigh tok the lead in the 50th minute when Kevin Lewis scored from a narrow angle, but Skipp scored his second goal with a speculative shot to level matters.

In a mad five-minute spell, Chippy had two players sent off.

First Andy Varnam received straight red after a flare-up with North Leigh's Stuart Huxley who was yellow-carded. Then Skipp was dismissed for a second booking.

North Leigh laid seige to the Chippy goal and Dennis netted the winner a minute from the end.

Almondsbury Tn 2, Witney United 3

BATTLING Witney knocked Almondsbury off the top when they ended the Bristol side's unbeaten home record.

After a good early save from keeper Paul Tassell, Witney took the lead in the seventh minute when home keeper Sam Pearce dropped Jamie Cook's free-kick and Ben Border gratefully prodded the ball home.

Almondsbury equalised in the 21st minute when Tassell produced an excellent stop from Adam Cole, but the ball broke to Justin Bishop who forced it over the line.

Just before half-time, Matt Shelton's swinging cross eluded everyone and nestled in the far corner of the net to give Witney the lead.

They made it 3-1 in the 58th minute when Cook's free-kick was knocked out wide to Ben Border, whose cross was tucked away by Lee Keyes.

Richard Kerr pulled back a goal three minutes from time but Witney hung on for victory.

Wantage Town 2, AFC Wallingford 2

A LATE goal from Matt Bianchini gave Wallingford a share of the spoils in a well-contested derby clash at Alfredian Park.

Wallingford took the lead after 16 minutes when Abdouli Taha neatly beat Terry Burton in the Wantage goal.

Wantage levelled in the 53rd minute when a corner from the right was well met by Adam Giles, who netted.

The home side were well on top and went ahead in the 70th minute when Gary Swann rose like a salmon at the back post to head in a corner.

However, as has been the case in recent weeks, Wantage were denied the victory by a late goal - this time from Bianchini.

Thame United 1, Carterton 4

CARTERTON, who won 6-0 when these teams last met, completed another comfortable victory over Thame.

The visitors drew first blood when striker Steve Avenall headed powerfully past Paul Searl in the Thame goal.

It took a great save from Carterton keeper Steve Benbow from Ben Connelly to preserve his side's first-half lead.

But he could not stop Jordan Weaver, who unleashed a superb 30-yard thunderbolt, which fizzed past the astonished Carterton goalkeeper for the equaliser.

Carterton restored their lead when Mark Threlfall struck sweetly past Searl.

The scoring was completed by the hard-working Alex Green and new signing Gary Cornwell, who had come on as a substitute.

Highworth Tn 2, Bicester Tn 2

BICESTER twice came from behind o secure a draw.

Highworth, looking bright on the flanks, took the lead after 11 minutes when the lively Justin Miller headed home after his first effort came back off a post.

A well-worked corner saw Bicester equalise, with defender Ricky Smith heading home at the near post.

Two minutes later, Highworth were in front again when Matty Saye delivered a cross from the right, and Andy Brien slotted home from six yards.

Bicester had to wait to midway through the second half to level the scores when Sam Houlihan drilled home.

Milton United 4, Pegasus Juniors 0

MILTON'S elation at a convincing win was marred when Darren Howell was controversially sent off five minutes from time.

Howell had been brought down, then clearly being seen to have his leg stood on when he was on the floor.

His natural reaction was to kick out, although no contact appeared to have been made. Referee Simon Maynard sent him off, but took no action against the perpetrator the initial offence.

Star of the show for Milton was Vinnie Rusher, who completed a hat-trick Milton opened their account when Ashley Fell's long throw into the box was cleared out as far as Matty Whitehead, who thumped the ball low and hard from outside of the penalty area.

Howell was involved with Milton's second goal two minutes before half- time, crossing the ball for Matt Styles to nod on to Rusher, who scored.

The crossbar twice saved Milton before Paul Davis slotted set up Rusher's second after 72 minutes.

Six minutes later, he completed his hat-trick after more good work by Howell.

Hooky move up to second place

Hook Norton 2 , Cirencester Utd 1

HOOK Norton moved into second place with a hard-fought victory over a competitive Cirencester side in Division 1 West.

On a greasy surface, it took only ten minutes for Hooky to get their noses in front.

Ben Elkington nodded the ball forward to skipper Robbie Canaway, who calmly slotted past the advancing Lee Clatworthy.

The home side found themselves pegged back, following some sloppy defending which allowed Alex Rudd to score from ten yards.

The home side put their foot on the gas, and their efforts were rewarded on the half-hour when Mark Tyler floated over a shot from fully 35 yards which beat Clatworthy at the far post.

Richard Northover missed a chance to make it 3-1, so Hooky had to work hard to hang on to their victory.

Clanfield 1, Pewsey Vale 2

CLANFIELD failed to capitalise on a half-time lead and a numerical advantage in a dire second-half performance.

The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute when good work by Lee Cooke and Alan Stratford saw Neil Barrett score from close range.

The game erupted in the 44th minute when a strong challenge by Stratford on Vale keeper Stuart Thompson saw the midfielder yellow-carded and the keeper sent off for his retaliation.

The home side presented their visitors with a equaliser when Nathan Radbone headed the ball back towards his own goal, and Craig Wall nipped in to accept the gift.

The same player put his side ahead in the 74th minute, and a lacklustre Clanfield never looked like getting back on terms.

Easington Sports 0, Cheltenham Saracens 1

THE clash of the two form sides in the league ended with a narrow defeat for the home side.

Adam Daley and Ricky Johnson missed early chances to put Easington ahead.

On the hour, the Sports backline were caught square from a long clearance, allowing Andy Sherlock to run clear and shoot home.