HIGHFIELD UTD...3

LEIGH ATH...0

FOR the second consecutive week Highfield found themselves facing another of the top four sides in the shape of Leigh Athletic and again they came out on top.

They got away to a flyer with the first goal timed at 34 seconds.

Craig Cowgill and John Derby forced the visitors to give possession away before the former sent Tom Stubbs away down the right and his cross was met by David Malius who swept the ball past Coupe in the Leigh goal.

The next 20 minutes should have yielded further goals with skipper Joey Jarrett, Derby and Malius again all going close with goalbound efforts.

United had to wait until the 30th minute to register their second courtesy of a sweet strike from Cowgill who curled home a shot that gave Coupe no chance.

To be fair, the visitors did cause Highfield problems with a well rehearsed corner routine which saw the ball delivered to the near post with pace.

Nevertheless, the defence held tight and the local side went in at the break with their two goal cushion intact.

The second half was in similar vein and despite having the majority of possession, Highfield's third goal eluded them until late in the match.

Leigh tried to turn the tide but were no match on the day for a Highfield side who are starting to warm to their new surroundings.

To cap a fine win the third goal arrived two minutes from time when Malius careered down the right and delivered a teasing far post cross that was met on cue by Derby.

United can take a lot of pride in this result and having disposed of two of the top four teams in the division over the past two weeks can now begin to climb the league.

The Gladwish Land Sales man of the match was defender Damien Keegan.

TEAM: Campbell , Kelly, Pritchard, Keegan, Berry, Derby, Stubbs , Cowgill, Jarrett , Price , Malius. Subs: Lomax, Clarke and Jackson .

Highfield turn their attentions to cup matters tomorrow when they travel to Merseysiders Speke FC in the Lancashire Amateur Cup.

Kick-off is 1.30pm and the first team squad are requested to meet at Seedfield Sports Centre at 11.15am.

Highfield's second string crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Old Standians on Saturday. Griffiths was on target.

They have a chance of getting back to winning ways tomorrow when they travel to Springhead in the league. Kick-off 2pm. The squad are requested to meet at Seedfield at 12.15pm.