North Leigh Devs 7-3 Cropredy Devs

Manager Kieran Reading handed a number of Crop debuts for the Devs trip to face North Leigh Devs. Karl Woodcock, Luke Butterworth, Ben Smithers and Hugo Caldeira all featured for the first team, whilst ‘keeper Chris Brown played for the first time this season.

First half

North Leigh came out the blocks quickly and took the lead after only 5 minutes with a powerful header from a corner. Cropredy managed to battle back and levelled up the game through a corner of their own, with Karl Woodcock heading home at the back post.

Cropredy started to come into the game and we’re looking dangerous going forward, but then managed to concede a sloppy goal at the end of the half, after having multiple opportunities to get the ball clear. The North Leigh striker finishing well after being slotted in on goal, meaning the home side went into the break 2-1 up.

Half Time – North Leigh Devs 2-1 Cropredy Devs

Crop came back out firing early on, and equalised again with a minute. A well worked move down the left ended with Leo Beales threading the ball through to Kyran, who beat the keeper to it, lifting the ball over him into the net. 2-2.

Again, sloppy defending cost Crop, as a tame looking long ball was missed by defender Sam Roberts, and the home side’s front man raced clear and slotted home again. Cropredy battled back once again and after a Leo Beales effort was palmed away, Kyran Beales was on hand to slot home and bring the away side level once again, at 3-3.

A well worked goal then put North Leigh 4-3 up, and as Crop pushed men forward to try and get back into the game, they shipped another 3 goals late on, which saw the home side North Leigh Devs run away with a 7-3 victory.

Full time – North Leigh Devs 7-3 Cropredy Devs

Another disappointing defeat for Crop, especially on the back of a good pre-season. Well in the game for an hour, but lots of poor defensive mistakes costing the away side in the end.

They will need to change things around quickly, currently sitting bottom of the table after the first two games. It’s another tough away trip to Chinnor Reserves next week and Crop look for their first points.