FOOTBALL: Sanders strikes as North Leigh make cup history (From The Oxford Times)

FOOTBALL: Sanders strikes as North Leigh make cup history

10:00am Monday 24th September 2012 in Football

Kieran Sanders was the match-winner as North Leigh achieved their greatest-ever victory when they knocked out Blue Square Conference South team Havant & Waterlooville to reach the third qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time.

Havant, who reached the third round proper in 2008 before losing 5-2 to Liverpool, were humbled by the Oxfordshire side, who dominated the game.

Only in the final few minutes did Havant put the Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West hosts hosts under pressure.

North Leigh could have taken the lead inside 30 seconds when John Mills shot straight at Clark Masters in the Havant goal.

Throughout the half, San-ders was proving to be a real handful for Havant’s two central defenders With Wayne Turk and Michael Alexis majestic in midfield, the hosts were on top without breaking through a stubborn defence.

Mills, Alexis, Michael Hopkins and Jacob Walcott all went close in the second half before Sanders broke the deadlock in the 64th minute.

he controlled a centre from Walcott and drifted around two defenders before firing home.

Havant upped their pace, seeking an equaliser and putting the Millers’ goal under pressure.

But the home defence, with Tom Franklin and Andy Ca-ton to the fore, held firm for a historic victory.

North Leigh: Warrell, Hole, Organ, Turk, Franklin, Caton, Walcott (Deabill 90+2), Alexis, Mills (Else 81), Sanders, Hopkins Subs not used: Coyle, Westlake.

Attendance: 194.