MILLERS’ TIME FOR SUCCESS
EDDIE Odhiambo won’t forget his first season in management in a hurry having led North Leigh to Step 3 for the first time in their history.
A dramatic 4-2 win over Ware in the Pitching In Southern Division One Central play-off final sealed their place – eight days after they thought they’d missed out on a shot at promotion.
Leigh finished sixth in the division but it was then announced that fifth-placed Welwyn Garden City’s ground grading failure had cost them a chance to compete for promotion, meaning Odhiambo had to rally his troops.
“A few of them drowned their sorrows after we thought we missed out,” he told The NLP. “That was my concern, getting us ready after the bad news.
“The commitment from that point has been unbelievable. They’ve galvanised themselves to say they’re not giving up this opportunity.
“You could say we’re lucky to be there but we’ve worked incredibly hard. With this second chance we felt we owed it to the club to have a really good crack at it.”
Statements
After beating Berkhamsted in the semi-finals after extra-time, the Millers travelled to Ware last Monday.
Brilliant finishes from George Nash and Aaron McCreadie put Odhiambo’s men 2-0 up, but the hosts hit back through Albert Adu-Donyinah and Liam Dulson on 84 and 88 minutes to set up a thrilling finale. Berkhamsted’s stoppage time goal forced extra-time six days previous – and North Leigh again recovered from to win. “Ware’s celebrations took it out of them,” Odhiambo observed. “It was like Berkhamsted. While they were celebrating for so long we regrouped and had a mini team talk.
“I can’t lie, I didn’t want extra-time, but realistically I thought that was happening. If it did I wanted us on the front foot, my concern was to limp into it.
“We were on the ropes taking haymakers after their two goals, I wanted us to hit back.”
Substitute Jefferson Louis provided the knockout punches in the dying stages of injury time to decide the contest, with Odhiambo unable to contain his glee.
“It’s normally a fine when you celebrate a goal with the manager but I think they would have been forgiven at that point!” admitted Odhiambo. “Jeff’s come in and done everything we’ve asked of him. He’s been the difference.
“He travelled directly and we missed him on the bus. He puts players at ease by coming up with some outlandish statements. The players end up talking about all kinds of stuff and not thinking about the game.
Composure
“I wanted him to bring that energy in the changing room instead and he did that.”
Celebrations will continue this weekend for the Oxfordshire village side. “The boys have been really disciplined but I’ve told them they can let loose and milk it now,” said Odhiambo.
“They’re off to Butlins this weekend. I’ll be there for some of it, I won’t be able to last as long as some of them, I’ll dip in and out before I lose my composure.
“I was conscious to let everyone know their value to the team. When I was promoted as a player it wasn’t that special at the time. I wasn’t told until a long time later that I’d contributed.
“As a player you’re quite selfish. This ranks higher as an achievement because of the responsibility you have for other people.
“Our ex-chairman was a blubbering mess on the pitch. He’s spent 50 years behind the scenes.
“Craig Dore, our previous manager, has been a great support to me throughout. To see volunteers like that enjoying this moment is special.”