GFA Intermediate Cup (North) 1st Round
Siddington 5
Upton St Leonard's 1

SIDDINGTON were strengthened by the return of their goalkeeper/captain Mark Ayres and progressed to the next round of the county cup with a home win over Upton St Leonard's.

Despite missing the league's top scorer from last year, Dennis King, Siddington put five past their visitors.

At the heart of the Siddington defence, Darren Higgs excelled, sweeping up all the loose balls and playing it well from the back.

The tireless running of Siddington's two front men, Steve Leighfield and Jerome Dobson, had the Upton defence constantly under pressure.

Leighfield got the first goal but Siddington squandered a number of further chances by pulling shots wide.

Upton then equalised after a defensive mistake.

In the second half Siddington stepped up a gear with Adam Leighfield putting in a series of inviting crosses.

Steve Leighfield then scored with a low 30-yard free kick which the keeper could not hold, which settled any Siddington nerves.

And Dobson completed a hat-trick of strikes, including a shot from distance and one from a tight angle.

Siddington may have found the net five times but they failed to take a series of other chances.