FA Cup: North Leigh 2 AFC Stoneham 2

North Leigh vs AFC Stoneham – Match Report

AFC Stoneham fought back from conceding 2 second half goals to earn themselves a well-deserved FA Cup replay on Tuesday night. The Purps started really well from the start and looked the more likely to score from kick off. First chance that caused some disturbance for the North Leigh goalkeeper was in the 15th minute when Jim Orvis found himself on the edge of the box, he shoots but it goes inches wide of the goal, keeper just had it covered. 2 minutes later North Leigh had a chance at our goal when they were given a free kick at the edge of the box, the player shoots but Callum Lee pulls off a cracking save that keeps the score-line at 0-0. AFC Stoneham registered more attempts at goal but just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. Duarte Martins, 6 minutes before halftime, breaks free from the defence goes through on goal. He manages a shot away but it goes over the crossbar. The Purps deserved to be in-front at half-time, but North Leigh defended well to keep the scoreline 0-0.

Half Time: North Leigh 0 – 0 AFC Stoneham

North Leigh kicked us off for the second half, and Stoneham started brightly just like the first half. 2 minutes in Stoneham are awarded a free kick 20 yards out, Jim Orvis takes, he plays the ball in Scott Hills meets the ball but the keeper is behind to get his hands on to the ball. However, the good luck didn’t last long as in the 48th minute North Leigh got a goal to make it 1-0 after some confusion in the defence which gave them the opportunity to shoot. Quick reaction by Stoneham sees us get an equaliser from Duarte Martins but it gets ruled out by the referee due to a “foul” on the goalkeeper. From a corner Cade Dyer plays the ball in, met by Duarte Martins who heads into the back of the net, with Hills going up for the ball the goalkeeper goes up to but he misses it (fumbles the ball) he goes down claiming that he was impeded by Martins (unfairly judged) referee dismisses the goal. The Purps make their first substitution of the day which sees Liam Callaghan come off and Cian Cleary come on. Stoneham didn’t give up and kept working to get an equaliser, a chance came when Martins plays the ball across to Scott Hills who puts the ball across the goal mouth Cian Cleary dives in but just misses it to slot the ball home. 79th minute sees North Leigh get their second goal of the day, but Stoneham kept pushing and working to get a goal themselves. Stoneham make a double substitution in the 80th minute in which we see Tommy Barnes and Jamie Bulpitt come off and Adam Pattison and Isaac Evans come on. The changes make an impact as 4 minutes later Stoneham get a goal back when Scott Hills hits the ball on the volley and smashes it into the back of the net 2-1, game on. In injury time, Duarte Martins breaks free from the defence and goes one on one with the keeper and calmly slots the ball into the net to make 2-2, and joins in with the celebrations behind the goal. A major achievement by the boys in purple who were the underdogs on the day to come away with a draw, role on Tuesday for the replay.

Full Time: - North Leigh 2-2 AFC Stoneham

Line-up: - Lee, Barnes, Dyer, Bulpitt, Ockwell, Ovington, Callaghan, Orvis, Martins, Clements, Hills Subs: - Pattison, Godwin, Evans, McNulty, Cleary, Thackray.