ERIC Odhiambo scored a second-half hat-trick as North Leigh routed hosts Thame United 7-1 in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday.

On an excellent pitch, the Southern League visitors took the lead after three minutes, when Aaron Woodley crossed to the far post for Roger James to knock home from close range.

Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Thame held firm for most of the first half and forced a couple of corners.

However, with Callum McNish, Elliott Osborne-Ricketts, James and Odhiambo controlling midfield, the visitors added a second goal in the 43rd minute with a fierce left-foot strike from Jamie Cook past keeper Henry Craven.

The second half saw the Millers rip through the Thame defence with five more goals.

Cook set up Odhiambo’s first, before making it 4-0 with a 20-yard shot in the 59th minute.

With manager John Brough introducing fresh legs with Matty Woodley and Roger Platt on for James and Woodley, North Leigh’s attacks increased.

Odhiambo lobbed Craven for his second before Platt finished off a great team goal.

Odhiambo completed his hat-trick when rifling home Platt’s cross.

Right at the death, Thame midfielder Ben Connelly scored a consolation goal for the hosts from close range

The confident Millers now face a trip to Corinthian Casuals in the first qualifying round on Saturday. September 3.

North Leigh: Thompson, Hopkins, Steedman, Turk (White 80), Hole, McNish, Odhiambo, Osborne-Ricketts, A Woodley (Platt 58), Cook, R James (M Woodley 52) Subs not used: Taylor, Murphy.

Attendance: 81.

Ardley United’s Cup aspirations were torn apart by visitors Highworth Town, who won the all-Hellenic League Premier Division clash 3-0.

The home side were twice denied by the frame of the goal and could find no way past the Highworth keeper Max Schofield.

Ardley look to have taken the lead on the half-hour, when a Jacob Daffern cross was deftly flicked on by Troy Bryan, but bounced back off a post.

Four minutes later, the visitors went ahead when Ryan Stanners scored with a great strike from 20 yards.

Fifteen minutes from time, Kieron Gleed doubled the Wiltshire side’s lead, firing home from the edge of the box.

With time running out for Ardley, Bradley Cox’s header came back off the Highworth bar.

The ball was then cleared upfield where Gleed slotted home his second to secure their win and a place in the next round.

Ardley Utd: Beesley, Daffern, Bayliss, Meade, Jackson, Cray (Cruse 67), Tappin (Cox 79), Morris, Talabi, Katsoloudi (Knight 57), Bryan. Subs not used: Markham, Farrow Jeacock, Ross.

Attendance: 54.

Kidlington’s poor start to the season continued when they lost 4-1 away to North Greenford United.

The visitors looked set for victory when Jack Dunmall gave them a 43rd-minute lead.

Thanks to some fine saves from Sam Warrell, Kidlington stayed ahead until the 73rd minute.

But then their defence collapsed and they conceded four goals in the last 17 minutes.