NORTH Leigh began life under new management in fine style with a 3-1 victory at home to Dunstable Town in the Evo-Stik South League.
Henry Landers (2) and Martin Griggs were on the scoresheet as Craig Dore and Darren James’s first game in charge heralded three points.
The Millers broke the deadlock after 34 minutes of the Division 1 Central fixture, thanks to a Landers screamer.
- Henry Landers's stunning strike puts North Leigh into the lead Picture: Ric Mellis
However, Dunstable equalised on the brink of half-time when Chris Wreh netted on the rebound after his penalty had been saved by Luke Saunders.
The Millers were soon back in front, though, as they won a spot-kick of their own two minutes after the break, which Griggs converted.
They then deservedly scored a third, thanks to a Landers free-kick.
North Leigh: L Saunders, McEachran, Mulvany, Newman, A Saunders, James, Landers, Tutton, Alabi, Seacole, Griggs.
Subs: Hughes, Shephard, Stevens, Linford-Pill.
Attendance: 116.
GOAL! 63’ mins ⚽️
— North Leigh FC (@NorthLeigh_FC) August 18, 2018
Henry Landers gets the brace with a great FK from outside the box giving the Millers a slight cushion.
North Leigh 3 - 1 Dunstable Town#UpTheMillers @OxOnFootball @DunstableTownFC pic.twitter.com/OL1OsIDRZI
Felipe Barcelos was sent off as Didcot Town were beaten 2-1 at Welwyn Garden City.
The Railwaymen conceded in the fifth minute when Adam Hunt’s cross-shot eluded goalkeeper Leigh Bedwell.
But the home side’s lead only lasted six minutes as Didcot captain Adam Learoyd headed home.
The opening goal of the 2018/19 compaign season courtesy of @learoyd89 pic.twitter.com/9mjkuaiVcU
— Didcot Town FC (@didcottownfc) August 18, 2018
Welwyn scored what turned out to be the winner on the stroke of half-time, when Jay Rolfe met Hunt’s cross.
Luke Carnell headed straight at the goalkeeper for Didcot, before they were reduced to ten men with 13 minutes to go when Barcelos was shown a second yellow card for simulation.
The visitors thought they had equalised late on, but Learoyd was flagged for offside when setting up Andy Ballard for a tap in.
Didcot Tn: Bedwell, Markham (L Williams 58), Woodley, Carnell, Cattell, Learoyd, Barder, McNish, Barcelos, Humphries (Ballard 78), Thomas (Hayden 70).
Subs not used: McNeill, Gardner.
Attendance: 257.
Thame United impressively beat Sutton Coldfield Town 4-1 away.
Ben Sturgess hit the bar in the second minute for the visitors.
The opener then arrived on 13 minutes when Liam Tack’s cross was turned in by a Sutton defender.
Thame goalkeeper Craig Hill saved Jordan Nadat’s overhead kick.
The home side were reduced to ten men on 65 minutes when Stephen Palmer was shown a straight red for an elbow on Marcus Mealing.
Thame made the most of the man advantage when substitute Andy Gledhill made it 2-0.
Sutton’s Leo Brown swept home to reduce the arrears on 82 minutes, but Tack and Duran Martin scored late on to earn the visitors a convincing win.
Thame Utd: Hill, Mepham, Lynn, Essex (James), Jewell, Ashworth, Martin (Evans), Sturgess, Tack, Mealing (Gledhill), Goss.
Subs not used: Baxter, Elliott.
Attendance: 122.
Kidlington suffered a 5-0 defeat at home to Bedford Town.
Dan Walker opened the scoring after seven minutes.
Craig Daniel doubled their advantage and only a string of fine saves from Sam Warrell prevented the visitors from adding to their tally.
Paul Benson then scored twice after the break to make it 4-0, before Gavin Hoyte headed home their fifth.
Kidlington: Warrell, Bott, Timms (Coleman H/T), Tank, Finny, Quainton, Peerless, Willoughby (Carroll 60), Calvin, Bayliss, Harvey (Oddy 69).
Subs not used: Rice, Leach.
Attendance: 87.
Ricky Johnson came off the bench to earn Banbury United a 1-0 victory at home to Leiston and preserve their unbeaten start to the season.
The striker fired home on 67 minutes to earn the Puritans back-to-back victories in Premier Division Central.
Ricky Johnson's 67th minute goal against Leiston which gave United a 1-0 win over the Suffolk side and maintained their unbeaten start to the season pic.twitter.com/fSWa9zOyA1
— Banbury United FC (@BanburyUnitedFC) August 18, 2018
In a game of few chances, Banbury shaded the first half, with Lewis Gabbidon seeing his shot pushed over the crossbar by goalkeeper Marcus Garnham.
But Puritans stopper James Goff also had work to do, easily saving a Christie Finch effort.
Banbury’s winner arrived with 23 minutes to go, when Greg Kaziboni pounced on a loose ball and played in Johnson.
The substitute raced into the area before firing a left-footed shot high past Garnham.
Johnson could have doubled their advantage late on, but headed wide.
Banbury Utd: Goff, Hawtin, Ngathe, Gabbidon, Wise, Henderson, Finch, Self, Diggin, Shamsi, Kaziboni.
Subs: Awadh, Baker, Bell, Johnson, Whitehead.
Attendance: 403.
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