LEIGH Athletic first team kick started the New Year with a 1-0 league win over Springhead.

With key players injured, Leigh needed to stand tall against a strong Springhead side.

The first half was solid from both teams and each side could have bagged a couple of goals in an entertaining first half.

Leigh stepped up the tempo, becoming more solid in the midfield and the forwards began to split the away team's defence. Paul Phillips went close to breaking the deadlock.

Leigh kept battling and with 20 minutes left Phillips broke the offside line to latch onto a through ball to coolly put it past the Springhead keeper.

From then on Leigh never looked like losing, especially after two Springhead players saw red cards. Leigh defended well in the last five minutes clearing off the line and deservedly took the points. County Motors Man of the Match was Paul Phillips.

Leigh Athletic second team won 5-1 against West Didsbury with goals from Scott Lewis, Darren Bamford and a hat-trick from Daryl Lebanese.

Leigh Athletic third team lost 4-0 against Rochdale Sacred Heart Reserves.