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Leigh RMI 0 Worcester City 1

By Matt Lawton April 19 2008
Mark Danks' early penalty was enough to earn all three points for visiting Worcester and end their recent run of poor form, leaving RMI to contemplate a somewhat lethargic performance on a dismal afternoon at Hilton Park, RMI's penultimate ever league game at their famous old ground before moving to the dazzling new stadium at the Leigh Sports Village next season.

Although last weekend's defeat at Gainsborough condemned RMI to UniBond Premier League football next season, Leigh boss Steve Bleasdale made few changes to the side that fought valiantly in Lincolnshire a week ago, with on-loan striker Cayne Hanley handed his first start for the club, joining Gavin Salmon in attack in the absence of the injured Richard Chetcuti.

After suffering a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Blyth Spartans seven days ago, mid-table Worcester appear to be counting the days until the end of the season, although they did take the lead on eight minutes when Robin Gibson needlessly gave away a penalty with a clear nudge in the back of an opposing attacker when challenging for a header, Mark Danks slotting away the resultant spot kick, though Leigh goalkeeper Tim Dittmer will have been disappointed to have seen the strike hit the back of the net after electing to dive the correct way in an effort to save it.

Prior to that, Leigh were unlucky not to take the lead when skipper Rob Marsh-Evans had a shot narrowly deflected wide of the target after meeting an Owen Roberts free kick, but neither side offered much in attack throughout a grim first period.

Leigh's second half ambitions were dealt a blow within only a couple of minutes when Hanley landed awkwardly from an aerial challenge and was forced to withdraw from action, though it did give the chance to top scorer Mark Smyth to make his first appearance in several weeks after recovering from injury.

The home side managed to force a succession of corners towards the end of the encounter, but they failed to particularly trouble Worcester goalkeeper Chris Sanna, leaving home manager Bleasdale to conduct a post-match inquest on the field for more than ten minutes after the final whistle as their chronic lack of goalscoring saw them fail to score at Hilton Park for the fifth time this season.

Leigh's next outing sees them make the short trip to Southport this Tuesday evening, before the season, and indeed Hilton Park's footballing career, is wound up next Saturday when Blyth Spartans are the visitors for a 3pm kick off, with admission being at the reduced rate of £7 for adults, £4 for students and OAP's and just £1 for under 16's.

Leigh RMI; Tim Dittmer, Scott Metcalfe, Owen Roberts (Andy Wright), Andy Heald, Paul Booth (Matt Lawlor), Rob Marsh-Evans, Bradley Maylett, Jonathan Goulding, Gavin Salmon, Cayne Hanley (Mark Smyth), Robin Gibson

 

 

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