ROGER James was North Leigh’s goalscoring hero as his double saw off a young Oxford United side 2-1 to lift the Oxfordshire Senior Cup.

The midfielder raced clear to coolly open the scoring in the 20th minute and struck again on the volley early in the second half of the final, staged at Thame United’s ASM Stadium.

Aaron Heap pulled a goal back three minutes from time for the U’s side made up entirely of youth team players, but on the balance of play the Millers were worthy winners.

It was a fitting end to a fine campaign which had seen the west Oxfordshire side go further in the Emirates FA Cup and Buildbase FA Trophy than ever before.

Boss John Brough said: “I think the performance warranted the win.

“I think we were a bit strong for them in certain areas, but it was a great way to finish the season.

“It was a bit edgy towards the end, but that’s the way it is.

“We ran out of steam a bit and with them being full-time they kicked on and got the break with the goal.

“The lads put a massive effort in, there were some empty bodies out there at the end, but they really did well all season.”

Brough was thrilled for James – and not just for his goals.

He said: “They were great finishes, but it was his performance which I was most pleased with.

“When he’s on his game and does the easy things well he’s a handful for anybody.”

Andy Whing, United’s joint youth team coach, had no complaints about the result, feeling the scoreline flattered his teenagers.

He said: “It was men against boys.

“We’ve got to be cleverer to play against that, to combat it we’ve got to be good with the ball and we weren’t.

“It was a cup final and the lads were looking forward to it, but we just didn’t show up.

“It’s disappointing, because they’ve worked so hard to get here.”

One U’s player did go home with a winner’s medal, though.

Brough made sure Manny Agboola, a goalkeeper who had spent much of the season on loan with the Millers but was ruled out through injury, was recognised.

He said: “Manny played in one of the rounds, so it’s only right.

“The medal shows our gratitude.”

LAST NIGHT’S LINE-UPS

Oxford Utd: Clayton, Carr, Berry-Hargreaves (Mannings 18), Chilcott, Bryan, Hopkins, Cowan, Baker, Heap, Napa, Noel-Williams.

North Leigh: Hole, Lymn, Hopkins (Saunders 80), D James, Wellon, Sysum, R James, L Williams, Seacole, Cook, M Williams. Unused subs: Turk, Wyatt.

Referee: E Turner.