Media Watch - North Leigh

Weather conditions permitting, it promises to be an extremely interesting weekend as the top eight club’s are all in action against one another. Second placed Taunton entertain promotion rivals Stratford, while Didcot travel to seventh-place Larkhall. Current form side Evesham in fifth place face Yate who are sixth, while we travel to eighth placed North Leigh. Nothing will be decided on the outcome of these games but it means that some of the teams involved will be dropping important points in the quest for promotion.

The fixture ‘computer’ couldn’t have planned it any better!

Last season the Oxfordshire side prevailed 2-1 against us on the opening day of the season. With memory of that game still fresh in the mind the prospect of a potential repeat, if that’s even to be contemplated, seems potentially possible. The game sees the two highest scoring teams in the Division face each other and whatever happens they will both be working extremely hard to counteract one another, as the team with the second best home record meets the side with the best away record.

Steve Jenkins options have been improved in the last few days by the timely short-term loan signings of Kyle Patten, who has this week signed a new contract with his parent club Newport County and Aaron Collins. The extra bodies will certainly help reduce the strain and workload on the current squad following a busy period either side of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

This will allow Jenkins to be subtle as he possibly adjusts his tactical thinking to suit the personnel he has available, with injuries to Gavin Williams and Matthew Harris plus a suspension on the horizon for Guillermo Bauza and work commitments for Kris Leek.

Perhaps our approach will now be able to address any flaws experienced in our previous encounter at North Leigh. Hopefully, we can prevent the Millers getting into any sort of rhythm at the weekend.

Following a 3-1 win over Stratford Town at Eynsham Park on Wednesday evening, North Leigh have entered the quarter-finals of the Southern League’s Red Insure Cup for the very first time.

Elliott Osborne-Ricketts opened the scoring with a 20-yard left-foot drive in the 14th minute. After Stratford scored an equaliser, Michael Hopkins’ shot from 20 yards in the 69th minute restored North Leigh’s lead. And they sealed victory on 85 minutes when Osborne-Ricketts fired home a penalty after Conor Ingram had been fouled.

When teams play like 'Merthyr' against us, they cannot be allowed to 'out-Merthyr' us. This is where our improved defensive solidarity has been seen to good effect this season. Even with Ryan Green missing in mid-week the backbone of the team in Rewbury and Wright were mentally and physically strong enough to provide the protection required to secure an excellent 0-0 draw at Cossham Street.

Adam Davies should get a mention for his important contributions in two totally different ways. Davies has been our Mr. Dependable this season, protecting the whole of the left-flank as Steve Jenkins allows Morgan to play with some freedom, although he has also been tracking back to support his defensive colleague far more this season than 12 months ago. Adam has also been extremely consistent in his level of performance since arriving from Monmouth Town.

Merthyr Town boosted by arrival of two Newport County stars
Wales On Line

Merthyr Town have added two Newport County players to their Evo-Stik Southern League squad, signing Kyle Patten and Aaron Collins on short-term loan deals.

Midfield player Patten, 20, and teenage striker Collins are young County professionals who will help the Martyrs through what could be a difficult spell of matches.

Merthyr are 12 points clear at the top after winning six and drawing one of their last seven fixtures.

They are facing selection problems with Gavin Williams and Matthew Harris injured. Kris Leek is working this Saturday and they are also without Steve Williams plus Kerry Morgan, who are going on holiday. Spanish Guillermo Bauza can play in the next two fixtures but will then start a three-match suspension.

Thankfully, captain Ryan Green will be back in the starting line-up against North Leigh after missing their 0-0 draw at Mangotsfield in midweek because of illness. He has recovered and has been back in training.

The addition of Patten and Collins is a big plus for Merthyr as they tackle three successive away matches, against North Leigh, Bridgwater next Tuesday and then Clevedon.

Merthyr’s hosts on Saturday, North Leigh, have former Oxford United player Mark Gee in charge. He is the longest-serving manager at Southern League level, having been in charge for 16 years.

The next home match for the Martyrs is against Fleet on Saturday, January 24.

Williams went off just before half-time in their 0-0 draw at Mangotsfield in midweek after suffering a minor recurrence of a muscle problem but it is hoped he won’t be out for long.

If I have worked it out correctly, the team will have 14 players available from the present squad (with five missing), including the two on "temporary transfer."
North Leigh will be a tough fixture.But I think six or seven points from the next three away fixtures will keep the promotion bid going adequately.
At non-league level, there are always problems with players being unavailable apart from injuries etc.

I think it's fifteen if you include David Shallis who has been on the bench in a few games recently. Which would give us four substitutes, one more than we've had in a few recent games!

True. Some voice concern at the number of substitutes but you can play only three anyway.
The time was when there weren't any subs and clubs struggled to raise 11 men sometimes.

Oxford Mail

North Leigh are aiming to inflict just a third league defeat of the season on leaders Merthyr Town.

Despite the unavailability of midfielder Aaron Woodley, the Millers have the opportunity to stretch their own unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions.

It followed their impressive 3-1 win over Stratford Town in the Red Insure Cup on Wednesday.

North Leigh (v Merthyr Tn, home): from Bulman, Hopkins, Turk, Gunn, Caton, Ingram, Cook, McNish, Sanders, Williams, Lewis, Bowles, Westlake, Osborne-Ricketts, Hole.