EDDIE AIMS TO ENSURE IT’S SECOND TIME LUCKY
EDDIE Odhiambo has revealed he offered to resign last Saturday – now he’s one win from leading North Leigh to the highest level in their history.
The Pitching In Southern Division One Central outfit lost 3-2 at already relegated Colney Heath last Saturday and coupled with Welwyn Garden City’s 7-1 win at Kidlington, Leigh dropped out of the play-off picture by three points.
However, Welwyn’s ground grading failing saw the sixth-placed Millers replace them and spark Odhiambo back into working mode ahead of a semi-final at Berkhamsted on Tuesday night.
“I’d downed tools, gone incognito, everything,” Odhiambo told The NLP. “I was out for a family dinner on Sunday. I drove so I couldn’t use my phone. Later I could just hear it buzzing in the glove compartment before I finally looked at it.
“If there was a remit it was to have a team that the loyal supporters can be proud of and avoid a relegation battle. When the season curtailed last year I think we were bottom of the league. It’s been a significant change of mentality since.
“It was gutting to lose at Colney and think we wouldn’t make the play-offs. I offered my resignation at that point. I was told where to go! Once we looked like we didn’t make it from such a good position I felt like we failed. That was just a reaction, I got over it.”
After Levi Steele put the Oxfordshire side ahead in Tuesday’s semi-final, they overcame a stoppage time equaliser before winning 2-1 in extra time.
“They were warriors,” said Odhiambo, overseeing his first job in management. “We thought Steele’s season was over. He fell against Colney and his arm went out of place.
“There was a good celebration after but I had the physio in my ear saying ‘calm them down’.
“I told the players to enjoy that time together because these moments don’t come very often. Look through the congratulations messages and then shift to concentrating on Monday’s game.”
Leigh and Ware played out two goalless draws in the league this season – but Odhiambo has revealed he’ll be without one of his coaching staff tomorrow – and that he’s had to alter his plans too.
“I had a break booked this weekend which has been subsequently changed,” he laughed.
“One of my coaches, Aaron Woodley, went on his honeymoon straight after the league season finished. Silly him!
“We’re just happy to be there. We’ve got a loyal following, there aren’t even 2,000 people in the village. Whatever happens Monday we can go off and be happy.”