Julian McCalmon named a much changed side for this cup tie against The Millers giving opportunity to a completely new attacking line up to impress.

It took both teams quite a while to settle themselves on a lovely evening for football at Eynsham Park, but things stated to happen after the 20 minute mark.

Lewis Coyle was as ever buzzing around and being industrious to try and create openings or opertunities and on 22 minutes he fired in a shot from distance that home keeper Eddie Cavanagh was forced to palm over the bar for a corner.

Up the other end Alfie Saunders came close when he hit a shot which passed narrowly wide with keeper Sam Warrell diving across his goal.

The game was fast paced on the slick surface at Eynsham Park and a good passing move set ex-Kidlington man Bradly Singh up for a chance on 26 minutes. Singh opted to shoot from the edge of the box and Warrell saved well.

In the closing stages to the half Kidlington had a couple of good chances, both from set plays. Firstly Jack Bernisconi was all alone on the far post with the goal at his mercy from a Coyle corner, but he headed agonizingly wide. Then from another Coyle corner Skipper Tommy Franklin saw his headed attempt come back off the underside of the bar.

The second half saw Kidlington come out all guns blazing with Coyle again the main protagonist. From 30 yards the magician hit a dipping shot which Cavanagh did well to palm round the post. A couple of minutes later and Coyle was unlucky once again to see another powerful shot from distance pass narrowly over the bar.

North Leigh who had been a bit under the cosh during the opening stages of the half finally came up with a glorious chance. The ball was played out to Henry Landers on the left, he skipped in-field and had Kidlington's defence back peddling, as he neared goal he cut back inside and from just inside the box hit a wonderful bending effort that found the far corner of the goal, so 1 - 0 on 63 minutes.

Not long after this Coyle and Harry Williams were replaced by Declan Benjamin and Lewis Gabbidon.

With Coyle now gone Kidlington lacked that little something extra and although Benjamin was charging forward from midfield The Greens had no one to put the ball in the net.

The pattern of the game now saw Kidlington having the lions share of possession but with North Leigh defending well Kidlington couldn't find a way to goal.

So it ended 1 - 0 to The Millers and its the west Oxfordshire side that will prograss to the semi-finals of this competition.

With so many changes to the starting line up perhaps McCalmon was keeping his powder dry ahead of the important league match next Tuesday, but whatever the reason for it the stand in forward line didn't perform has he'd have hoped.

My feelings are that this defeat will only add fuel to his search for a new striker to lead the Kidlington line for the remainder of the season, especially if we are to avoid the dreaded drop!

Team - Warrell, Quainton, Castle, Bernasconi (Martin 60), Franklin, Willoughby, Coyle (Benjamin 67), McGlynn, Tooke, Williams (Gabbidon 67), Thorne.
Sub Unused - Osbourne-Ricketts.