The match on Saturday, January 28, between North Leigh v Hartley Wintney went the way of North Leigh who ran out comfortable winners against Hartley Wintney. 

The Southern Premier League South fixture was the first for recently installed manager Rowan Vine and his assistant Shane Hollomby.

After a quiet opening the Leigh took a firm grip of the match playing some enterprising football. After a period of pressure the home side went ahead on 16 minutes.

A corner routine on the left involving Jordan Thomas and Amer Awash set up Aaron McCreadie whose accurate shot from 25 yards deceived Row keeper Marcin Brozozowski. (1-0).     

The Leigh continued in the ascendancy and doubled the lead on 22 minutes. A corner on the right from Thomas found Lance Williams whose near post header from close range was deflected into the net (2-0).

Good midfield skills from Thomas on 31 minutes saw a fierce parting shot which hit the top of the Hartley crossbar.   

Kicking downhill in the second period the row improved.

On 56 minutes Josh Webb and Paul Hodges combined well with the latter’s parting shot being comfortably saved by Leigh keeper Adam North.

Six minutes later a move down the right saw Shamar Moore and Hodges combine before North came out to smother the final shot.

On 66 minutes a free kick from Webb created a chance for Jony Efedje who shot wide. Three minutes later Louie Paget and Anis Nuur combined with the latter’s parting shot well saved by North. On 85 minutes North Leigh made the game safe. A long run from midfield by Jordon Thomas ended with a fine shot finding the corner of the net (3-0).   

Hartley Wintney manager Vine said: "The team started brightly for the first five minutes. However, it was evident from our play in the first half that we were a team lacking in confidence.

"From the final 10 minutes of the first half and also the entire second half I felt we were the better side.

"We have used this match to assess our playing squad in order to plan for the remainder of the season.

"For our next match we must build on our second-half showing. I was pleased with centre-back Joe Morrison who was a worthy Man of the Match on his debut."